NBA Notes: Rockets, Kevin Durant, Hawks, Grizzlies, injuries

Rockets

An 0-2 start isn’t setting off alarms in Houston, but there’s no question the Rockets have early kinks to fix.

Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle writes that while Kevin Durant poured in 37 points Friday, the rest of the offense looked disjointed.

The loss of Fred VanVleet looms large. Without a true point guard, the Rockets have struggled to initiate sets and find flow, often settling for rushed shots late in the clock.

Coach Ime Udoka has opened games with a double-big lineup, which has helped defensively but limited spacing on the other end.

“That’s why coaches get paid the big bucks,” Durant said. “It’s always good having a versatile team, but once you throw different lineups out there, it’s tough. We’ll be patient and keep figuring it out. But defensively, we’re pretty solid.”

Udoka is also experimenting with Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard in the backcourt, hoping one can stabilize the offense. Thompson said he’s learning on the fly.

“The adjustment is really just being able to put people in the right spot and be kind of like a second coach out there for Ime,” he said. “I’m trying to figure it out, and I know it’s just gonna get better.”

Hawks

The Hawks were severely shorthanded Saturday against Oklahoma City, missing their entire starting frontcourt.

ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reports that Kristaps Porzingis and Zaccharie Risacher both sat out with flu-like symptoms and a right ankle sprain, respectively, while Jalen Johnson missed his first game of the year with his own ankle injury. Atlanta fell to 1-2 on the season.

Grizzlies

Size — or lack of it — proved costly for the Grizzlies in Friday’s blowout loss to Miami.

Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal noted that Memphis was overpowered inside without Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke, both recovering from surgeries.

That left the Grizzlies without enough muscle to handle Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, who dominated the paint as Miami cruised to a 32-point win.