Well, at least the starters. We saw Dirk Nowitzki, last year’s regular-season MVP, for a few minutes last night, but not during the game on the court. Avery Johnson sat out just about all of his top players - and even T-Mac played just under ten minutes on the night - as the Rockets sped past the stripped-down Mavs, 104-90. Yao Ming had a wonderful night, though, with 19 points and 5 rebounds in twenty minutes of play, shooting 8-for-11 from the field in a few places we haven’t seen him so much in the past (jumper just inside the three-point line, anyone?). After the game, Rockets small forward Shane Battier noted that Yao’s shooting ability on the threes is as world-class as anyone’s - it’s just that with all that height, Coach Rick Adelman probably won’t be encouraging him to camp out on the perimeter anytime soon.

It’s off to Seattle today for the Rockets, where the CSB will catch up with them once again, this time against 2007 #2 draft pick Kevin Durant.

Rockets outgun undermanned Mavericks 104-90 (Houston Chronicle)