The Rockets tore through the Shanghai Sharks with predictable ease on Monday, but along the way, they might have also shown some of what they have in mind.
Given the Sharks' inability to offer much of a defensive challenge it was difficult to read too much into the Rockets' 140-71 romp to begin the Rockets' six-game preseason schedule. But they were vividly determined to run at every chance.
With James Harden pushing the pace, he had a triple double by halftime. Clint Capela finished the bulk of the Rockets breaks, getting 19 first-half points. The Rockets led by 43 at halftime and by as much as 72.