Rockets report: Terry vows to be more aggressive in Beverley's absence

NEW ORLEANS - With Pat Beverley out for the immediate future, Rockets point guard Jason Terry said he wants to turn things up.

With a few weeks left until the postseason, Terry said he expects to improve his game.

"I am looking to turn up my aggression offensively," Terry said. "It's something I haven't been doing all season. You have seen a spark once or twice, like in Atlanta, maybe the Milwaukee game, but at this age it's hard to do that all the time. But in these last two weeks before the playoffs, I am going to turn up my aggression very high and try to get a rhythm and consistency on the offensive end of the floor."

Terry will share time at point guard with Pablo Prigioni Rookie Nick Johnson is also expected to see some action.

Prigioni, another veteran player, has high knowledge of the game, Terry said.

"I like high-IQ basketball players and he understands the game tremendously well," Terry said. "He has had a lot of experience. He understands this time of year and what it means."

Johnson, who went to Terry's alma mater, Arizona, has come a long way this year. Terry thinks the young guard can help the playoff push.

"He is another high-IQ basketball player, so you're not afraid to put him in the fire when things get tough," Terry said. "At this time of year, it's perfect timing for him. He has experience in the D League, and he has great experience when he played with us earlier in the year when guys were injured. He has had some quality minutes. I see him coming in and being able to make an impact."

Wednesday's 95-93 win over New Orleans makes the Rockets 7-0 with Terry as a starter. He finished with two points and three assists in 27 minutes against the Pelicans.

Prigioni had two points and four assists in 20 minutes.

Beverley duemore evaluation

Point guard Pat Beverley is still being evaluated in Houston after hurting his left wrist Monday night at Indiana, coach Kevin McHale said.

Beverley flew back to Houston on Tuesday morning to have his wrist evaluated. McHale said that as of Wednesday morning, no decisions about the next step had been determined.

"He is going to meet more people today and get a final determination as to what is going to happen," McHale said. "There probably won't be any major decisions made for a week to 10 days. See what happens."

McHale said he wasn't sure exactly what the injury was. Beverley was listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans as out with a left wrist sprain.

"He has something in his wrist," McHale said. "Like I said, he is meeting another guy today, so we will see what it is and where it goes."

At the team's practice in Indiana on Tuesday, McHale said he was concerned that the news on Beverley's injury wouldn't be good for the Rockets.

"If the news is bad on Pat, he might be out awhile," McHale said Tuesday. "We will find out the news on Pat, but the initial thought was that it might be bad. Hopefully, it will be good news."

Jenny Dial Creech