TV: League Pass
- Rookie forward Thomas Robinson and eighth-year swingman Francisco Garcia are expected to make their Rockets debut Wednesday, when Houston attempts to extend its home winning streak to six games against the Bucks. Coach Kevin McHale said he is uncertain of how quickly Robinson and Garcia will be able to adapt to playing a different style of basketball. “Hopefully, Thomas can fill in and can pick up what we’re doing,” McHale said. “There are times where I’ve seen things fit hand-in-glove … and I’ve seen times where it takes a lot of time to figure it out. I don’t know which one it will be.”
- No longer faced with the task of balancing playing time among a short-handed roster, McHale has tweaked his starting lineup. Rookie Donatas Motiejunas will make his first career start alongside James Harden, Jeremy Lin, Chandler Parsons and Omer Asik. “[I'll tell him to] just relax and go out and play. Don’t try to re-invent the wheel,” McHale said. “He’s an excitable young man, so trying to keep his feet somewhere near the ground will be good for him.”
- Bucks center Samuel Dalembert, who spent last season with the Rockets, is on Milwaukee’s active list after missing Tuesday’s win in Dallas to serve a one-game suspension for an unspecified violation of team policy. Coach Jim Boylan said he does not plan to play Dalembert, however, which means Epke Udoh and Drew Goodon will likely remain in front of Dalembert in the Bucks’ rotation for at least one more game. “I’d like to see him practice a little bit first before I get him back out there again, so tonight I’ll probably go in a different direction,” Boylan said. “Stay with my guys who have been there for me the whole year.”
- J.J. Redick, acquired by Milwaukee just before last Thursday’s trade deadline, has successfully blended his talents with his new teammates through two games. The shooting guard, who spent the first six-plus years of his career with the Orlando Magic, has posted averages of 15.0 points, 4.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds since joining the Bucks (27-28). “J.J.’s a really quick, fast guy along the baseline,” Boylan said. “The ball movement that he helps create for us usually leads to some sort of good scoring opportunity.”
– Matt Miller
