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Houston Rockets: Patrick Beverley Expected To Play Sunday vs Thunder

By Wes Goldberg

Nov 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) reacts after making a three point basket during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Rockets won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) reacts after making a three point basket during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Rockets won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patrick Beverley is expected to get back to annoying opposing point guards Sunday when the Houston Rockets plays the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Patrick Beverley will likely take his position as the Houston Rockets starting point guard Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first time since aggravating his hamstring on Nov. 6, according to Jenny Dial Creech for The Houston Chronicle. His return will move Isaiah Canaan back into a reserve role.

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Canaan hasn’t been a disaster as the starting point guard but hasn’t done much to move the needle, either, sans a 21-point performance against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 8. He is averaging 9.1 points and 1.2 assists per game this season. Beverley is considered one of the top on-ball defenders among point guards and is averaging 10.3 points and 2.7 assists in three games this season.

The addition of Beverley could squeeze Jason Terry out of the point guard rotation. Terry has averaged 22.4 minutes and 8.4 points per game this season, but could help this team more as a combo guard or a backup to shooting guard James Harden.

Beverley, 26, will help the Rockets defend the Thunder’s Reggie Jackson. Jackson has been tasked with leading the Oklahoma City offense in the absence of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Jackson is taking advantage of the opportunity, averaging 22.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4 rebounds in seven games this season.

Beverley is an extremely important piece for the Rockets. While he isn’t a prolific scorer, Harden is such a negative on defense that the team needs Beverley’s constant defensive presence to bolster the front court on that end. Canaan, meanwhile, impressed coming off the bench in last season’s playoffs and will be an improvement to the over-the-hill Terry.

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