As much as Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said about Thomas Robinson’s ability to rebound and run while repeatedly describing Francisco Garcia as a “great guy,” when he spoke about “who was going to come in and play” he cited the players he had.

The Rockets changed a third of their rotation with their trade deadline moves. But before the players acquired generated their first drops of sweat, the rotation was radically changed with the promotions of Patrick Beverley and Donatas Motiejunas.

With a two-game rush, they offered glimpses of why, going from rarely used rookies to keys for the radically retooled second unit.

“They played well,” coach Kevin McHale said, in what amounts to a gushing review following a loss. “We’re going to need them.”

via Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle