PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets forward James Ennis III (8) celebrates his three-pointer during the fourth quarter of the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, in Houston. The Houston Rockets defeated the Detroit Pistons 126-124.
Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season.
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PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets forward James Ennis III (8) celebrates his three-pointer during the fourth quarter of the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center on Wednesday, Nov.
... more
Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer
PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets forward James Ennis III (8) celebrates his three-pointer during the fourth quarter of the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, in Houston. The Houston Rockets defeated the Detroit Pistons 126-124.
Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season.
lessPHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets forward James Ennis III (8) celebrates his three-pointer during the fourth quarter of the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center on Wednesday, Nov.
... morePhoto: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer
DETROIT - As Rockets forward James Ennis III made his way around Little Caesars Arena on Friday, sharing greetings and hugs, it might have seemed that games against his previous team would hold special meaning for him. They do not.
Ennis made 3 of 5 shots, all 3-pointers against the Pistons on Wednesday, scoring 14 points in the Rockets' win in Houston. But Ennis said he did not feel any extra satisfaction from playing well against his former team or added motivation heading into Friday's rematch.
"That really didn't come to my mind, if I played for them or not," Ennis said. "I'm here to help this team win games the best I can."
Ennis, however, said he does feel more comfortable with the Rockets' schemes and his role than he did early in the season.
"I felt I had a little trouble switching because my whole career I felt like I've been going over screens," Ennis said. "I keep watching film and keep learning."
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Ennis has also been more confident as a shooter, putting up pull-up 3s in several games, rather than only in catch-and-shoot opportunities. In the four games prior to Friday's, he averaged 31.5 minutes, averaging 13.8 points on 68.3 percent shooting while seeming more accustomed to the Rockets' switching style defensively. He had played an average of 22.1 minutes in his first nine games played, averaging 6.3 points on 39.2 percent shooting.
"I think all the players understand we encourage them to do that," D'Antoni said. "If you're open, you're open. As long as people are unselfish and try to do the right thing, we encourage them to do it.
"He hurt his hamstring early, set him back a little bit. Then, he's got to get used to his new teammates. Now, we played 15 games or so. He just feels more comfortable. The intensity he plays and he makes 3s; he fits our needs perfectly. He'll play hard, way hard. He'll make an open 3 and then we learned things about him. He makes big shots. I didn't know that. He's not afraid of the moment.
"I think he's learning each game, getting more experience and more comfortable with what we do. But he fits a perfect role we have for him."