Mike D'Antoni expects defensive improvement after Rockets return to full strength

While the Rockets have turned around their offense, ranking first in the NBA in the past 11 games to climb from 25th to eighth overall, the defense has slumped to 26th. Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said that can change now that the Rockets are back to virtually full strength, with the goal still to be among the top 10. The Rockets ranked seventh last season.

"Nene and Chris (Paul) coming back, first of all, that's two of the better defenders in the league so that helps," D'Antoni said. "That's going to take minutes off Clint (Capela) and P.J. (Tucker). So they'll be better defensively because they won't be as tired. We have possibilities defensively. We know we need to be in the top 10 to be…