Ariza questionable
Rockets guard Trevor Ariza sat out Sunday's practice with a sore right foot and is considered questionable to play this afternoon against the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center.
If Ariza is out, the Rockets could start Chase Budinger, who started when Ariza was out with a one-game suspension.
Guard Kyle Lowry could get his first start of the season, with the Bucks using a small backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Charlie Bell.
Fits and starts
The Rockets had hoped to improve their recent starts and seemed to have done just that, averaging 31 points per game in the first quarter of the three games this past week.
But coach Rick Adelman said he was not happy with how the Rockets began those games.
“It's really defensively that we have to put the energy into,” Adelman said. “The offense will take care of itself. If we have energy at the defensive end, we're getting into the open court, we're just a better team.
“Sometimes, we've shot the ball really well to start, but if you look at the game, we're not playing the way we need to play. We're making shots, but as soon as the shots stop falling, then we're in trouble.
“We've got to be more consistent defending and on the boards.”
Aussie reunion
For the first time in the regular season since he joined the Rockets, David Andersen will go against Bucks center and fellow Australian Andrew Bogut, 7-0.
But they did play against each other in the preseason, with Andersen making his first five shots and scoring 17 points.
“It's always good fun banging up against another Aussie,” the 6-11 Andersen said. “We have good times, good battles. We said hello. We went out for dinner before. We'll catch up before the game. We keep in touch.”
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