West Notes: Mavericks, Klay Thompson, Spurs, Rockets, Ime Udoka

Mavericks

Mavs coach Jason Kidd wanted a look at something different Saturday, and got it. Klay Thompson drew the defensive assignment on Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, a matchup that offered both a challenge and a test of Thompson’s endurance.

“Melo’s a little different because he can score and pass,” Kidd said, via Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. “But we thought looking at that was something we needed to see. Making it tough on Melo isn’t easy — he’s gonna have the ball 90 percent of the time.

“But I thought Klay did a good job. He can still compete at that level at this stage of his career. We’re not going to ask him to do it every night, but he showed he can compete.”

In other Mavericks news, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports the team has hired longtime NBA guard and assistant coach Howard Eisley as a scout. Eisley most recently worked at Michigan under Juwan Howard and previously spent time as an assistant with the Knicks, Wizards, and Clippers.

Spurs

Reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle is expected to make his preseason debut Monday, per Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. Castle had missed the first three preseason games after suffering a right knee contusion in an intrasquad scrimmage earlier this month.

Castle’s timing couldn’t be better. With De’Aaron Fox expected to miss the start of the regular season, Castle is projected to open the year as San Antonio’s starting point guard.

Rockets

As preseason winds down, the Rockets plan to start locking in on their regular-season rotations, according to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle.

Houston will finish its exhibition slate with games on Tuesday and Thursday, and head coach Ime Udoka intends to stretch his starters’ minutes into the mid-20s or 30s. The Rockets will also begin implementing more detailed offensive and defensive schemes in preparation for opening night.