Houston Rockets forward Ben McLemore is likely to return to the bench after enjoying a nice three-game stint as a starter. Danuel House Jr., who has started at small forward for most of the season, is due his spot back after returning from an illness, scoring 16 points in a win over the Toronto Raptors.
McLemore scored a season-high 28 points on Thursday, now averaging 16.3 points in 30.8 minutes per game as a starter, but head coach Mike D'Antoni pointed to his trusty sharpshooter deserving to suit up next to Russell Westbrook and James Harden in the starting lineup.
“Danuel needs to start,” said D’Antoni, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. “It shouldn’t matter. Danuel hadn’t practiced or anything. He still had chills and stuff.”
D'Antoni praised McLemore, noting he will still get minutes even if he's struggled as a part of the bench.
“He plays hard and he’s coachable,” D’Antoni said. “He does have a nice shot. He needs confidence. He needs to play. He needs to feel wanted. Hopefully, he will continue to get better. Somebody that is that good a person, plays that hard, has that talent, something good has got to happen unless he’s the unluckiest guy in the world.”
House scored 16 first-half points but did not score in the second half of Thursday's game.
“It was difficult,” House said of playing through his illness. “I’m pretty sure people in the world knows how the flu handles your body. I started off; I had enough. I was searching deep to find some more. I’m glad my teammates were there to support me, carry me. I’m cool with it.”
House earned the starting small forward spot after outplaying a misfiring Eric Gordon at the start of the season, who now nurses a short-term injury.
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