The Rockets scored with ease, defended well and as if performing a community service, ended any doubt – if any existed in the first place – in time for the Toyota Center crowd to get to the televisions.
Things went so according to script, Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins banked in the first "First Shot" in the new opening tip promotion and new Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta beamed as he waved a Rockets flag at halfcourt to celebrate another first – his initial blowout as the man in charge.
The Rockets so thoroughly romped past the undermanned and overmatched Mavericks, 107-91, that about the only gripe was that the depths of the bench could not keep the rout going through the fourth quarter after handed a lead that reached 36.