PHOENIX - The Rockets held guard Russell Westbrook out of Friday’s game, their second in as many nights, as they have in back-to-backs throughout the season. They have three back-to-backs remaining this season.
The move to the small lineups was chosen in a large part to give Westbrook spacing to attack the rim off the dribble, as Westbrook has scored at least 30 points in nine of his past 10 games.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said, however, the style can work for his other ballhandlers.
“We’ll optimize other guys,” D’Antoni said of the remaining games Westbrook will miss.