What It Means:

The Rockets will run a three-big rotation with Clint Capela, Montrezl Harrell and Terrence Jones. Capela is by far the safest play of the trio and has the highest upside, too. Expect to see a lot of small ball with Trevor Ariza at the four. After logging 41 minutes on Monday, the Rockets may have played Howard a little too much earlier this week. He's had seemingly perpetual back problems since he was with the Los Angeles Lakers, so it makes sense to hold him out.

Howard is in the top 50 with a 3.4 nERD this season. He's averaging 13.9 points, 11.7 rebounds (third in the league), 1.0 steals and 1.6 blocks on 61.7 percent shooting through 30 games. His 19.9 Total Rebound Percentage is eighth in the league.