The season-ending injury to Rockets second-team center Nene changed more than the Rockets' rotation. With Eric Gordon starting so that Ryan Anderson can work as a backup center, guard James Harden will defend the Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge or Pau Gasol inside, giving up six inches to Aldridge, seven to Gasol.
Harden has often defended big men, including in Game 4 on Sunday after Nene's injury. He generally will fight for position and then get double-team help after a center or power forward gets the ball inside.
"You just try to fight them as much as possible," Harden said.