Instant analysis: Rockets v. Thunder

October 19, 10:58 PMHouston Rockets ExaminerDavid Hartnett

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Against the franchise formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics, the Rockets — in one of their final pre-season tuneups — claimed their fourth pre-season win (and another 100 point performance) defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 105-85.

With the Rockets' regular season schedule to begin in almost a week (October 27th to be precise), it's around this time clues are given for what to be expected once the regular season begins. While this team still has its flaws, and a roster move left to be made, this game offers a faint glimpse as what one could expect on the 27th in the Rose Garden.

The Run-and-Gun Rockets are fun to watch. It's not quite like the SSOL (seven seconds or less) Suns teams from the middle of the decade, but an up-tempo offense, and plenty of transition baskets make Rockets games an entertaining endavour. It's the fourth time in five games that they have surpassed the century mark, and with greater production from the starting wings (Ariza and Battier) it's making the start of the season somewhat promising.

Ariza is developing into a fairly efficient scorer. He's beginning to show that his long-range success in the 2009 playoffs wasn't necessarily an aberration. While he may not be as efficient as say a Gilbert Arenas, Tracy McGrady or Kobe Bryant in creating his own shot off-the-dribble, Ariza can still get to the basket and finish around it.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu is all but assured a roster spot. Another game, another solid performance. It's hard to fathom he not making the final roster. His play this pre-season is a bit reminiscent to the success Von Wafer achieved around this time last year. PMB is great in transition, and worked well with Chase Budinger in the fast break. He's not been the most consistent in the pre-season, but he's been a bright spot out of relative obscurity.