Taking Care of Business

Some games cannot be won, only survived. The Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies handily tonight 93-83, never once looking like they were in any trouble whatsoever. The Grizzlies looked as bad as their record and the Rockets just did their job. Houston's front line of Yao Ming and Luis Scola dominated Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur, combining for 42 points and 31 rebounds.

It's interesting that the Rockets formerly held the rights to both of Memphis' starting forwards. Rudy Gay was a first round pick that was traded to the Grizzlies for Shane Battier almost immediately. Darrell Arthur was a Rocket for about a minute when he was acquired from Portland for the Rockets' first pick, Nicolas Batum. He was instantly forwarded to Memphis for Donte Greene and Joey Dorsey. Greene was later traded to Sacramento with Bobby Jackson for Ron Artest. Complicated? The final analysis: The Rockets gave up Rudy Gay, a late first-round draft pick last summer and Bobby Jackson. They received, Shane Battier, Ron Artest and Joey Dorsey. We love you, Daryl Morey.