Patterson assigned to Vipers

The Rockets' meeting with the Wizards and John Wall will not offer a Kentucky reunion for Rockets rookie Patrick Patterson. The Rockets assigned Patterson to their NBA Development League affiliate Tuesday. He has not played in the season's first six games.

"Patrick is making tremendous strides in practice, and Coach (Rick Adelman) is very comfortable that he could help us win in the NBA right now," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "However, our depth at the big spot with Yao Ming, Luis Scola, Brad Miller, Jordan Hill and Chuck Hayes means there is no playing time available.

"We believe strongly that players improve best by playing in games, and the upcoming stretch presented a timely opportunity for Patrick to join (the Rio Grande Valley) Vipers training camp."

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Kyle Lowry missed the last two games because of a second bout with back spasms this season.

"It's all right," Lowry said. "I got to do some things in practice. We have a long flight. A long flight kind of hurts it, kills it. We'll see how it feels after today. I ran up and down, took a few hits. Now you have to ice it and do my treatment and see how it feels."