McDaniels contributed 11 points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and two blocks across 20 minutes in Sunday's 123-117 preseason win over the Pelicans in an exhibition played in Shanghai, China.

EDGE Analysis

The fact that McDaniels played 20 minutes is arguably just as notable as his strong statistical production. Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni deployed something resembling a regular-season rotation in the exhibition, using only 10 players and handing the starters a full workload. The Rockets were playing without Patrick Beverley (knee), who would likely bump a player from the rotation once he returns from the injury, but the athletic McDaniels may have a more compelling case to hold down a role than aging veterans Pablo Prigioni and Corey Brewer, neither of whom provided much production Sunday.