Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Houston Rockets (0-1) at Golden State Warriors (0-0), 10:30 p.m.

The Golden State Warriors will kick off the 2009-10 season tonight, when they welcome the Houston Rockets to ORACLE Arena.

Golden State went 29-53 last season and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year. It made a few headlines over the summer thanks to guard/forward Stephen Jackson's desire to be traded. Jackson, who averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists last season, was fined $25,000 by the NBA for vehemently voicing his displeasure with the Warriors and suspended for two exhibition games for "conduct detrimental to the team" after he left the bench and did not return against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 9.

Jackson, though, has changed his tune and is ready to team up with Monta Ellis and rookie Stephen Curry. Ellis is back for a full campaign and was suspended 30 games last year for violating his contract. Ellis injured his ankle in a moped accident after saying he did it during a pickup game. The Warriors re- signed C.J. Watson and acquired veteran Devean George in the offseason, while Corey Maggette is back from offseason wrist surgery. Forward Brandan Wright is slated to miss a few weeks following shoulder surgery.

Jackson led Golden State in scoring with 20.7 points per game and also finished tops in assists with a 6.5 clip. Andris Biedrins grabbed a team-high 11.2 rebounds per contest in 2008-09.

The Rockets kicked off their 2009-10 campaign with a loss at Portland, as Aaron Brooks led the way with 19 points. Trevor Ariza, acquired in the offseason following the departure of Ron Artest to the Lakers, chipped in 12 points in defeat. It was a rematch from last year's playoffs won by the Rockets in six games in the first round, but Houston was without one of its big participants in All-Star center Yao Ming. He's out the entire season due to a fractured bone in his left foot.

"Size hurt us," said Rockets coach Rick Adelman. "Obviously, they had 12 blocks, we had opportunities, penetrations and kicks, and they still got their hand on the ball, that's a real factor. We've got to try and finish better than we did tonight."

Tracy McGrady did not play last night and is expected to miss at least the first half of the season due to left knee surgery.

Houston won all four meetings with Golden State last season and is riding a six-game winning streak in the series. The Rockets have won three in a row as the visitor against the Warriors.