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Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers available to play on Christmas Day

By Michael Knight
WASHINGTON, DC -  NOVEMBER 2: Washington Wizards guard Austin Rivers #1 shoots the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 2, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  NOVEMBER 2: Washington Wizards guard Austin Rivers #1 shoots the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 2, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It’s looking like the newest signing for the Houston Rockets will be able to help them out tomorrow afternoon on the big stage.

The Houston Rockets decided to sign guard Austin Rivers yesterday after it was apparent that more guard depth was needed. Chris Paul went down a couple of games ago with a hamstring strain and will be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks, giving Rivers the opportunity to come in and really contribute to the team.

Unfortunately, Brandon Knight isn’t quite getting the job done for the team right now. He may eventually become the player he once was, a guy who averaged nearly 20 points a game, but for now, he is still rusty and not quite 100%. The Rockets don’t really have the time to give him the chance to rebuild himself with the Western Conference being so competitive.

That’s one of the reasons that Austin Rivers was signed to take some minutes off of the rotational pieces. Losing a guy like CP3 is impossible to replace, but the Rockets can at least get some production back with his former teammate signing officially today.

Available for tomorrow

Since he’s signing today, he got the chance to practice with the team and will be available to play in tomorrow’s Christmas Day matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

D'Antoni said Rivers will play tomorrow vs.OKC.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 24, 2018

It’s still a mystery how much he will play, as he has had just one practice with the squad. Thankfully, the system of the Rockets isn’t too difficult to learn, and Rivers should fit right into that style of play.

Next. How each starter can improve

Coach D’Antoni has shown at times that he is unafraid to throw new guys into the rotation immediately. Joe Johnson last season played over 30 minutes in his first game with the team after hardly being signed. Will it be a similar story for Austin Rivers tomorrow on National TV against a rival team?

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