Chuck Hayes News

When/where: 7:30 p.m.; Toyota Center. TV/radio: FSH; 610 AM, 850 AM . Key players: Rockets guard Aaron Brooks is coming off consecutive games scoring in single-digits for the first time this season.

Jason Kidd moved into second place on the NBA 's career assists list, Jason Terry scored 27 points and the Dallas Mavericks shot 65.5 percent in a 130-99 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

TV/radio: FSH; 610 AM, 850 AM . KEY PLAYERS ROCKETS G - Aaron Brooks dominated the first half of the Rockets game in Dallas, scoring 19 points in the first 13 minutes, but just three the rest of the way.

They were happy with the win, thrilled with the long-awaited day off. But the Rockets could not celebrate taking a winning record into a three-day break in the schedule.

All night long, the Rockets crashed the boards and stayed in the game. Shot after shot, rebound after rebound, they cleaned the glass and kept scoring.

Rockets hand Wolves 11th straight loss, 97-84 Eds: APNewsNow. Rockets 97, Timberwolves 84.

Kings update: If Sacramento can take care of the ball, it has a chance to beat the Rockets again.

The NBA's Phoenix Suns showed the defensive side of their game against the Houston Rockets.

Al Jefferson crumpled to the court in pain, the victim of an inadvertent kick to the head by Houston's Carl Landry in the fourth quarter.

When/where: 7 p.m.; Target Center. TV/radio: FSH; 610 AM, 850 AM . Key players: Rockets forward Luis Scola has excelled in the team's two back-to-backs this season, making 20 of 31 shots and averaging 21.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on nights the Rockets needed his energy.

I'm sure if all of you have heard, but Tracy McGrady has set a target date to return from microfracture surgery, and that date is November 18.

The Rockets had enjoyed their little overachieving, early-season run, proudly coming up big while short-handed. But they had not patented the formula.

With a pair of moves Friday made for very different reasons, one surprising and one expected, the undersized Rockets trimmed two big men from their roster, sending center Joey Dorsey to the NBA Development League and waiving forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu. With Dorsey unable to get playing time and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers beginning their first ...

Chuck Hayes did not quote Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion, but the point was made.

Luis Scola had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Carl Landry scored 20 points in the Houston Rockets' 104-79 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Andrew Bynum joined his teammates for Tuesday's practice, suffered no immediate setbacks and pronounced himself ready to play Thursday against the resurgent Phoenix Suns.

Daryl Morey is fond of saying that playing hard is a skill, like any other. That never seemed quite right, but he might have a point.

Saturday: Rockets 111, Trail Blazers 107. Record: 2-1. Monday: at Jazz, 8 p.m. TV/radio: FSH; 610 AM and 850 AM .

As I was saying, there are going to be teams that have too much size and strength for the Rockets to handle.

Chuck Hayes is the most remarkable player on the NBA's most remarkable team. How's that for an opening sentence? Good one, huh? Don't believe me? Let's check in at Toyota Center and run it past some people who should know.