Ron Artest scored 15 points, snared 6 boards and picked a couple of pockets in 24 minutes of action in his Rockets debut -- 12 of those points came in the first period when he knocked down a pair of long balls and muscled his way to the line for a handful of freebies. (Highlights below)

Artest looked good, but did shoot just 4-12 from the field, showing he's not afraid to hoist the rock. This is not a Bonzi Wells or Stromile Swift nightmare though -- the Rockets have their third scorer.

"He took a lot of shots and drew a lot of fouls on the offensive end," said Yao Ming.

Speaking of Yao, this was his first game in a Rockets uniform since February, doing almost all of his damage from the line in scoring 10 points and grabbing 9 boards.

Game ball probably has to go to Carl Landry, who showed no problems with his knee in leading all scorers and rebounders with 18 and 9 in 23 minutes of play. He was active and picked up where he left off last year with a couple of cut-to-the-basket slams.

Rafer Alston (6 points, 4 assists) shot the ball just twice in 22 minutes of play. I knew there was a reason I really enjoyed this game.

Aaron Brooks played well (13 points, 5 assists) and nailed the game-winning basket with a dribble penetration bucket with 16 tickets left, giving the Rockets a 94-93 lead. It was only fitting that the kind of/sort of former Rocket, Rudy Gay, airballed a three in the final seconds that would have likely won the game for the Grizzlies.

Luther Head started in place of Tracy McGrady and didn't really have a bad game (9 points, 3-5 shooting), but is there a Rocket with more to prove than this guy?

(OK, maybe other than McGrady, Yao, Rafer, Shane Battier, Rick Adelman...)

After back-to-back Titanic-like performances in the playoffs, I must admit I'm a little shocked Head is still on the roster. I know the Chronicle just wrote a puff piece on how great he has been in camp, but there may be no greater fan cringe right now than Luther dribbling that basketball top of the key. When it comes to ballhandling in a pinch or making the correct pass in the clutch, I'd take Sage Rosenfels over Luther. Really. It'd be close, but the nod goes to Sage.

Brent Barry wasn't brilliant shooting the ball (3-8 from the floor, 2-6 from long range), but he finished with 10 points and a couple of steals.

I don't suspect it will be a huge issue, but one of the problems I think the Rockets could run into down the road is their lack of length at the four spot. They have skills, strength and tenacity at the position, but Landry, Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes and Joey Dorsey would all be considered a little short. Tonight the Rockets outrebounded the Grizz 47-39, but were outblocked by Memphis 12-2.

Good debut for the Rockets though. They weren't overwhelming shooting the ball (less than 42%), but they knocked down their triples at a good clip. There is certainly a lot of talent and depth on this squad.