Once Dallas jumped out 8-0 in this game, the Houston effort seemed to contain more perspiration than inspiration. Nobody took over the game without Yao. McGrady and Rafer Alston led the point parade with 16 apiece, followed by vastly improved speedster Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola with 15 and a rather clueless Artest at 14.

When Terry was not doing the damage with his 31 points, steady all-pro Dirk Nowitzki was chipping in 24 points and 12 rebounds. After Terry was done, he was able to simplify his approach to the media.

“Whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, I’m going to do whatever it takes for the team,” Terry said. “We’re hanging our hat on being ready to play and we’ve done that.”

Not all the Mavericks stars have maintained that approach under their new coach. Jerry Stackhouse has left the team and has gone back to North Carolina for the present time. Another thorn in the Rockets’ side, Dallas swingman Josh Howard was deactivated due to a left ankle injury.

With the Rockets’ house of cards, though, Dallas still discovered a way to get the job done with 10 points to spare.