NBA 2018-19: 3 talking points from Houston Rockets' win over Memphis Grizzlies

3) Are the Rockets back?

Houston Rockets Coach Mike D'Antoni

Houston are one of the more confounding teams of the league. How could a Western Conference finalist one half and 22 consecutive missed threes be struggling to reach a .500 record the next season? Here's why:

- Daryl Morey underestimated his role players' importance to the Rockets machine.

- Three pointers are fickle statistics to have an offensive diet on.

- Injuries to the squad have messed the chemistry up.

Houston's offensive players are more like offenders. Last game against the Lakers, Harden had 18 field goals attempted and 19 free throws. That is an unimaginable statistic.

Paul and Harden are masters of theatricality and the dribble, often initiating little contact and selling it as a foul to officials.

But Houston beat Los Angeles' LeBron-led team and now have ground it out against the Grizzlies on the road. That may not be sustainable, but something is working for them right now.

Maybe last season's world-beating, lob-throwing, three-pointer-lights-out-shooting, free-throwing Rockets are back.