The Rockets recalled rookies Troy Daniels and Robert Covington from the NBA Development League affiliate on Wednesday in time to join the team in Denver for tonight’s game, an indication that Rockets coach Kevin McHale could be resting some of his regulars in the second half of a back-to-back.

The Rockets were not scheduled to arrive in their Denver hotel until 4:15 a.m. after their win in Los Angeles on Tuesday. McHale had said on Tuesday that he would consider giving some players games off, rather than trimming playing time, to keep them fresh for the post-season.

“If guys are going to take off, I’d just as soon they don’t dress so that you’re mentally relaxed, too,” McHale said. “If you’re going to play 10 minutes, who wants to get embarrassed for 10 minutes? You’re still going to get yourself ready to play. If they’re going to sit, let them sit.

“I believe in playing your way in; I really do. I know that when you can rest, it’s nice. But we’ll kind of go by ear a little bit.”

James Harden is fifth in the NBA in minutes played per game, Chandler Parsons sixth. Both sat out the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game.

Covington, who has played in five games with the Rockets this season and was the MVP of the NBA Development League All Star game, has averaged 23.2 points and 9.2 rebounds with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Daniels, who has played in two games with the Rockets, has averaged 21.5 points and 4.6 rebounds with the Vipers.

Both played in the Vipers’ Game 1 win against the Iowa Energy on Tuesday and could be sent back to the D-League in time to play in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.