Rockets-Spurs: Houston injects Eric Gordon into starting lineup for Game 5

With backup center Nene out for the postseason, coach Mike D'Antoni is shaking things up

The Houston Rockets are shaking up the starting lineup for Game 5 on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs. 

An injury to reserve center Nene Hilario that will sideline him for the duration of the postseason has forced coach Mike D'Antoni's hand to make a change. And he's doing so by inserting Eric Gordon into the starting lineup, with Ryan Anderson set to slide to the backup center spot, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26. This was the same lineup the Rockets used in the second half of the Rockets' Game 4 win on Sunday.

This shakeup essentially gives Houston a smaller, more athletic lineup to deploy out of the gate. With Ryan Anderson relegated to the bench, Clint Capela will take on duties down low, moving Trevor Ariza into more of a power forward role that Ryan Anderson has played this series. It essentially gives Houston a four guard lineup to combat the Spurs' lineup that features LaMarcus Aldridge at power forward and Pau Gasol at center.

Gordon averaged 16.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in the regular season, traditionally off the bench, and scored 22 points in Sunday's 125-104 win.

Game 5 between the Spurs and Rockets tips on Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT.