ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Aaron Brooks, Shooting guard Tracy McGrady, Small forward Ron Artest, Power forward Luis Scola, Center Yao Ming. Bench -- Guard Brent Barry, Guard Aaron Brooks, Guard Luther Head, Forward Chuck Hayes, Forward Carl Landry, Forward Shane Battier.
PLAYER NOTES: --G Tracy McGrady was clearly not at full strength while still working his way back from off-season knee surgery and a preseason limiting his minutes. He did enough to score 16 points and get half of the Rockets' 10 assists, making 7-of-18 shots.
--C Yao Ming never controlled the game or his matchup with Memphis rookie Marc Gasol. But he did just enough to lead the Rockets with 21 points and add 12 rebounds, the third time in his six seasons he had a double-double in the season-opener.
--F Ron Artest began the game and his career with the Rockets with steals on consecutive possessions. He struggled much of the night in his matchup with Rudy Gay, but finished it nearly as strongly as he began it, holding Gay to two fourth-quarter points.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Aaron Brooks (bruised right ankle) was ruled out for one to three weeks but said he is improving rapidly and expects to be back on the short side of that estimate.
--F Shane Battier (bruised right foot) has resumed workouts, but still has no timetable to practice or play.
--G Steve Francis (knee surgery) has yet to go through a full practice while rehabilitating after last February's knee surgery.
