Rockets ready to put hard work to test in NBA's preseason

HOUSTON – The Rockets are back in Houston, but just for Monday.

After spending last week in Lake Charles for training camp, the Rockets returned to Toyota Center for practice and the team will travel to Birmingham, Alabama, for a preseason game Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

It'll be the first of four preseason games for the Rockets.

Head coach Mike D’Antoni said he plans to play some of his main players about 25 to 30 minutes. His players are on board.

VIDEO: Rockets James Harden, Eric Gordon on preseason plans

“We’re going to treat every game like a real game, like we are getting ready for the real season,” Rockets guard Eric Gordon said. “We’re going to try to win every game as possible, even in the preseason.”

James Harden, the 2018 NBA MVP, said he’s ready to face another team.

“Tired going against the same faces, beating up on each other. It'll be really good to compete against someone else, put what we’ve been working on to test,” Harden said.

The Rockets will host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday at Toyota Center in the second preseason game. The regular season tips off Oct.17 against the New Orleans Pelicans.