Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets

Rockets’ McHale, Morris at odds about D-League assignment (Yahoo! Sports)

The Houston Rockets sent rookie Marcus Morris to the D-League. They did not, however, consider it a demotion. Morris returned from his sprained ankle and practiced on Thursday, roughly three weeks after he suffered the injury while assigned to the Rockets’ D-League affiliate.

Rockets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Rockets sent rookie Marcus Morris to the D-League. They did not, however, consider it a demotion.

Morris returned from his sprained ankle and practiced on Thursday, roughly three weeks after he suffered the injury while assigned to the Rockets’ D-League affiliate. With the Rockets heading out on a six-game road trip, they wanted him to get playing time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Morris did not want to return to the Development League, but the Rockets did not concern themselves with his preference. They run the Vipers’ basketball operations, so they can use the D-League that way and have sent their previous first-round picks, Aaron Brooks and Patrick Patterson, to apprenticeships there.

“I don’t know if he has to understand, but the last time I looked, I…

Friday’s National Basketball Association Capsules (PA SportsTicker)

Andrew Bynum scored 22 points, Kobe Bryant added 20 and the Los Angeles Lakers opened a season-high six-game trip with a 93-89 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

Martin, Lowry lead Rockets past Suns 99-81 (AP)

The Houston Rockets got the confidence-building win they needed before heading on the road for their next six games. Kevin Martin scored 16 points, Kyle Lowry had eight rebounds and nine assists, and the Rockets beat the Phoenix Suns 99-81 on Friday night. Chase Budinger added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who got another strong effort from their reserves to beat the Suns for only the…

Houston Rockets look forward to road test (AP)

Just last week, the Houston Rockets were quietly creeping toward the top of the Southwest Division, winners in nine of their previous 10 games. The reality check may have arrived. After their worst defensive performance of the season, Houston blew a 19-point lead in San Antonio on Wednesday night to slip back down in the standings.