But the Rockets were outscored by 22 points in the final three quarters as Chris Paul and the Hornets escaped with the 94-92 victory.

I've had a chance to watch the game a couple of times now, and while the offense was a thing of beauty early on, it was extremely sloppy late. In the second half, the Rockets became what was once (and probably still is) the worst nightmare of Jeff Van Gundy -- a turnover machine.

28 turnovers -- 9 of which came from the Rockets power forward tandem of Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes -- really got the Hornets back into it.

Did the offense look more entertaining? Definitely. At the same time, the Rockets scored just 92 points and sorely needed Robitussin after all the cough-ups, so it's hard to say they're the new Phoenix Suns just yet. Here are a few of my observations:

• I thought the play of Yao Ming was the most encouraging. Yao shifted often to the high post and found both Bonzi Wells and Rafer Alston for beautiful back door cuts. Mike James found Yao for a wide-open 17-footer as well -- we may see more mid-range shots from the big fella. 13 points, 4 boards, 3 assists and just 1 turnover for Yao in a paltry 17 minutes of play. Had Yao seen regular time it would have been trouble for the Hornets.
  
  
• Just 10 three-point attempts from the Rockets for the entire night, 3 of which came from Steve Novak. Ten is about how many you could expect Rafer himself to take in a game last season, so this is definitely change.
  
  
• Speaking of Rafer, he looked real good in this offense. He limited his three-point shots, hit well from the field (4-7), picked 4 steals, handed out 5 assists and didn't turn it over once (on a night when the team was turnover-crazy). I loved the fast break where he found Mike Harris for a slam as well. Still, I have to remind myself that iron pyrite can look real good too ... after all, Rafer had a brilliant preseason last year.
  
  
• I can't help but watch Mike James out there on the floor and still wonder what would have been last season had they pulled the trigger at the February deadline. Dude is tailor-made for what Van Gundy was doing, but as Stephen A. Smith would say, I regress. James did not shoot all that well (4-12), finishing with 8 points, 2 assists and 2 steals.
  
  
• Steve Francis? Not very pretty. He had an amazing tip slam off of a Yao miss (which was called an offensive foul), but it looks like he's struggling with this offense so far. No points (even missed a free throw), no assists and 2 turnovers in just 5 minutes.
  
  
• Luis Scola had two problems -- foul trouble (5 fouls in just 23 minutes) and turnovers (5). The good news is he'll likely get those under control as he adjusts to the NBA. Otherwise, he looked strong (4-7 shooting, 8 points, 7 boards).
  
  
• Mike Harris -- I want in on the wager that says he's going to make this team. He's built like a rock and really looks like a hybrid three-four. Still a longshot, but I've been hearing nothing but good things for some time now. 6 points (3-4 shooting) and 9 boards in 19 minutes of play -- he also hit a couple of long shots.
  
  
• Luther Head had 12 points on 3-6 shooting and moved well out there, but boy did he ever show that he's not a point guard. That play where he got the ball picked just trying to receive a handoff pass was painful.
  
  
• No longer the Bouncy Whale, the new slim-trim Bonzi hit 5-7 shots for 11 points and looked at ease in Rick Adelman's offense. He looks like he's going to be a big-time help with the second unit this season.