Option plays
The Rockets picked up their option to extend coach Rick Adelman's contract for another season as expected last week, but did not stop there.
General manager Daryl Morey said he has begun talks to also sign assistant coaches Elston Turner, Jack Sikma,T.R. Dunn and R.J. Adelman.
“We did it (the Adelman extension), and now we're working on bringing the assistants back as well,” Morey said. “They've done an incredible job in very difficult circumstances. To not only have a great game plan every night, but to have brought the players along to help us win now, is a testament to the whole staff.”
Peaks and valleys
With 27 points Monday, Luis Scola was within a point of matching his career high. But his play was not an aberration.
Including his 10-of-18 shooting Monday, Scola has made 43 of 72 shots (59.7 percent in his past five games, averaging 19.4 points. In his previous five games, he had made 28 of 60 (46.7 percent) shots and averaged 13.2 points.
“It always happens to me,” Scola said. “There is a part of the year I struggle. I talk with the people I work with that work with me through summer and try to fix it.
“There is always a part of the season I struggle, I feel more tired, I just feel worse and play worse. Somehow, a couple weeks after, everything comes back to normal. Hopefully, this year, it's over.”
In a game the rest of the team made 26 of 68 shots, Scola scored consistently.
“Scola was great,” Shane Battier said. “He's been great for us the last couple of games.”
Injury updates
Rockets guard Trevor Ariza, who sat out Sunday's practice with a sore right foot, started and played 40 minutes Monday.
He made four of nine shots for 11 points.
Forward Brian Cook, who had played in just 10 games this season, and not at all in the previous nine games, is out with a sore hip flexor.
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