Orlando Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Praises 'Tough, Gritty' Houston Rockets

ORLANDO - The Houston Rockets are set to debut their new-look roster Wednesday night when they visit the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center.

Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks are expected to lead the veteran charge as they hope to revive the Rockets out of the bottom of the league's standings, their home for the past three years.

Tonight also marks the first game of coach Ime Udoka's tenure in Houston. Udoka was hired in April after the team departed from Stephen Silas after three seasons. Udoka's coaching counterpart for tonight's game, Jamahl Mosley, recognizes the changes the Rockets have made and isn't overlooking his opponent.

"They're tough. They're gritty. I think that they present different challenges, they find ways to score and within those veterans that they have on the court and Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet," Mosley said. "They have guys that know how to play the game so they can put those other young guys in position to be successful."

If Brooks and VanVleet can live up to their salaries and be the complementary veterans needed for the Rockets to succeed, Houston could be one of the league's biggest surprises of the season.

But in order to establish that, making a good first impression on the road against another team on the rise will go a long way. Setting the tone early and failing to let old habits become commonplace should be an early point of emphasis for the Rockets.

The Rockets and Magic tip off at 6 p.m. CDT.

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