Rookie Patrick Patterson is seeing more minutes for the Rockets in the absence of Luis Scola.

"I thought he did OK," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "He had opportunities, he was active, he got to the boards when we needed him. It helps us when he and Chuck are on the floor defensively, two active guys who can cover a lot of ground."

After beginning the season out of the rotation and going through a stint in the NBA Development League, Patterson has had a solid rookie season, making 55.7 percent of his shots and averaging 5.1 points and three rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game.

"I see myself as an energetic guy," said Patterson. "When I come off the bench, I'm not on the court for a long period of time.

"I have to find the balance. I have to realize when I'm out there for a longer period of time so I don't foul."

Patterson is averaging 13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per 36 minutes over his last five games since he began receiving rotation minutes.