(SportsRadio 610) -- Rockets head coach Stephen Silas took this job well into a pandemic, but the circumstances under which he makes his NBA head coaching debut are drastic even with that in context.
The Rockets, after having their season-opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder postponed earlier in the week because of COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and a blatant protocol violation by their best player, are finally playing Saturday night in Portland against the Blazers.
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Silas told reporters before the game he considers it an exciting night, just to start the season, despite how many players they have.
David Nwaba will start in place of John Wall, who is in quarantine after contact tracing ruled him out until after Monday's game at the Denver Nuggets. The Rockets are also without DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Gordon and Ben McLemore.
James Harden, Danuel House Jr, P.J. Tucker and Christian Wood will start for the Rockets against the Blazers (0-1).
Silas said he expects when they play without Harden, who's minutes should be in the 30s on Saturday night, the Rockets will handle the ball by committee.
Without Wall and Gordon, the Rockets are down two of their three primary ball-handlers.
When asked if he expects the Blazers to double-team Harden, especially with Houston short-handed, Silas said they are anticipating it for sure.
"We went over some scenarios this morning as far as when they double-team, where they double-team and what our reactions should be," Silas said. "So we should be prepared for it."
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The Blazers opened their season with a 120-100 loss at home to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.