Luis Scola News

As much as had been made of the Rockets encouraging start through the five-game test to open the season, they had still not been asked to do what had to be done on Friday.

Aaron Brooks #0 of the Houston Rockets shoots over Brandon Roy #7 and Joel Przybilla #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers during Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2009 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon.

Wednesday: Lakers 103, Rockets 102 . Record: 3-2. Today: vs. Thunder , 7:30 p.m. TV/radio: FSH, 610 AM and 850 AM .

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.

Field goals: 6-14. Rebounds: 6. Assists: 1. Trevor Ariza Points: 15. Field goals: 5-21. Rebounds: 9. Assists: 5. Rockets update Wednesday: Laker 103, Rockets 102 Record: 3-2. Friday: Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center, 7:30 p.m. TV/radio: FSH; 610 AM and 850 AM .

For all that is thought of the mini Rockets based on appearances and assumptions, some issues are real and undeniable.

Suns' Amare Stoudemire draws a foul trying to stop Magic's Mickael Pietrus in Orlando.

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

The Energy Solutions Arena seems not long the dire straits for Houston Rockets with power center Yao Ming and genius shooting guard Tracy McGrady on the injury list as eight players scored in double digits in Rockets' 113-96 thrash over Utah Jazz on Monday.

Rookie Chase Budinger scored a career-high 17 points and was 1 of 8 Houston players to score in double figures as the Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-96 on Monday night.

Marco Belinelli #18 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket past Luis Scola #4 of the Houston Rockets during the game on December 12, 2008 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

Aaron Brooks blossomed in the playoffs last year, carrying the Houston Rockets to a second-round Game 7 with quick moves, sharp shooting and smart decisions.

RECORDS: Warriors 0-0, Rockets ROCKETS UPDATE: Houston will be without two All-Stars as center Yao Ming and swingman Tracy McGrady are injured, with Yao likely out for the season.

Luis Scola scored 15 of his 21 points in the third quarter and grabbed 11 rebounds, Aaron Brooks had 18 points and 12 assists, and the Houston Rockets held off Golden State and spoiled the Warriors' season opener with a 108-107 victory Wednesday night.

Travis Outlaw came off the bench to pour in 23 points and Greg Oden was a force defensively in Portland's 96-87 season- opening win over the injury-riddled Houston Rockets.

A playoff rematch is on tap Tuesday as a pair of Western Conference contenders kick off their seasons when the Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Yao Ming-less Houston Rockets at The Rose Garden.

With Monday's roster deadline looming, the Houston Rockets on Thursday cut two of the necessary four players, guards Romel Beck and Garrett Temple.A This comes at no surprise, considering Beck and Temple were two of the four Rockets' players in camp without guaranteed contracts for this season.

Rockets forward Luis Scola returned to practice Sunday, having little difficulty in the most extensive test of his rehabilitation from a sprained right ankle.

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived guard Brent Barry.

Had Pops Mensah-Bonsu allowed himself to worry, had he been tossing and turning through the nights while considering his chances to make the Rockets roster, there might have been greater elation, or at least relief at the news.