Hilario started at center and played seven minutes in Wednesday's 116-104 preseason win over the Pelicans, recording two points (1-3 FG), two rebounds and two assists.

EDGE Analysis

It was intimated early in training camp that Hilario would get a shot to compete with Clint Capela for the starting center job, but as anticipated, the battle has decidedly favored Capela. It was Capela who started the first three of the Rockets' preseason games, and he likely would have been in line for another turn on the top unit Wednesday had he not been held out with a minor hamstring injury. It's probably ideal for the Rockets to deploy Hilario in an 18-to-25 minute role off the bench most nights, where he'll be able to provide some impact as a defender and interior scorer while reducing the strain on his aging knees.