Wounded Rockets down to 8 players for practice

The Rockets practiced with only eight players Monday, working four-on-four in the absence of five players with assorted ailments: Chandler Parsons (back), James Harden (sprained left ankle), Omer Asik (bruised right thigh), Jeremy Lin (back) and Terrence Jones (flu-like symptoms).

Assistant coach Kelvin Sampson said he expects Parsons to play Wednesday against the Bulls and replied, “It wouldn’t shock me” when asked if Harden is available. He did not comment on Asik’s or Jones’ prognosis but said Lin’s back “is in bad shape.”