Houston Rockets: Clint Capela’s Return Is On The Horizon

The Houston Rockets have remained steadfast in ensuring that they continue to stay the course in winning as many basketball games as they can.

The Houston Rockets have remained steadfast in ensuring that they continue to stay the course in winning as many basketball games as they can.

After taking two losses in a row for the first time this season, the Rockets were sure to take care of the Brooklyn Nets quite handily, beating them 137-112 last night.

But things are about to change now.

What’s that you may ask?

Clint Capela, for the first time since Dec. 17th — when he fractured his left fibula — he may be available to play tomorrow night against the Miami Heat on the road.

According to Jonathan Feigen of Houston Chronicle, this is all contingent on how he feels after his first full practice with the team Monday.

The Rockets are off Monday before taking on the Heat Tuesday night.

If Mike D’Antoni feels that he’s not ready for Tuesday, it’s quite possible that he’ll finally be able to suit up Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, a home game.

What was certainly a good indicator is that Capela was allowed to travel with the team on this three-day, two-game road trip with stops in Brooklyn culminating in Miami.

Here’s what D’Antoni told Feigen about Capela’s progress:

"“He’s been amping it up pretty good,” D’Antoni said. “If things progress and he doesn’t have any (issues), doesn’t slide back a little bit, we’ll see how it goes. It would be nice this week some time.”"

He did participate in shoot around yesterday before the game against the Nets so it does look like that he’s getting ever closer to a return.

It has been nearly a month since Capela has been out but the Rockets have managed to make do with Nene Hilario and Montrezl Harrell.

For the most part, they’ve done a tremendous job of being able to execute the pick-and-rolls that D’Antoni adores but it doesn’t always work against teams like the Memphis Grizzlies.

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We haven’t been able to beat the Grizz all season because of this and I’m positive Capela would’ve been a difference-maker had he played.

The Grizz have a lot of big men that love to bang around in the paint and they did so to the level of it being too much for these Rockets.

With Capela being back in the fold, he stretches the floor, rim-protects and runs the pick-and-roll with precision.

I’d expect him to be a bit rusty as he gets his body accustomed once again but because of his youth, it won’t take long.

We’ll have to see.

Capela, 22, has averaged 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 64 percent from the field in 28 games of action, all starts.

Go Rockets.