Second-year guard Patrick Beverley has officially beat out Jeremy Lin as the Houston Rockets starting point guard, according to ESPN.
Forward Chandler Parsons told ESPN Beverley will be in the starting lineup when the Dwight Howard, James Harden-led Rockets tip off against the Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday night. In their preseason finale, the Rockets lineup featured Howard, Harden, Parsons, Omir Asik and Beverley.
Beverley spent five years playing abroad before signing with Houston last season. Most observers seem to agree he has outplayed the much-hyped Lin for much of the preseason. Earlier in the preseason coach Kevin McHale told reporters he has "two starting point guards."
After averaging 13.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in the regular season, Lin, who recently told ESPN "I would love to start," slumped to 4.0 points, 2.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Beverley's production went from 5.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in the regular season to 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in the postseason.
"I haven't had the fortune to play in the NBA on opening night," Beverley told ESPN. "This will be my first one. I am definitely excited."
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