ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Mike Conley, Shooting guard O.J. Mayo, Small forward Rudy Gay, Power forward Darko Milicic, Center Marc Gasol. Bench -- Guard Kyle Lowry, Forward Hakim Warrick, Forward Darrell Arthur, Forward Greg Buckner, Forward Quinton Ross.
PLAYER NOTES: --F Darrell Arthur's 15 rebounds versus the Rockets were three shy of the Grizzlies' rookie record, set by Bryant Reeves in 1996. He definitely gave the Grizzlies an energy infusion, which is how he defines his role.
"I figure I'll score points here and there but my main focus is playing defense and rebounding," Arthur said. "It's all a learning experience."
--PG Mike Conley talked all season about being more of a leader, but he seemed kind of dazed in the opener. He finished with eight points, but just three assists, which goes against his game plan of getting Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo the ball as much as possible.
"They're going to score most of the points for us," said Conley of Gay and Mayo. "I've just got to know who's hot and who's not, and make good decisions. We feel comfortable playing together."
--Speaking of G O.J. Mayo, the rookie from Southern Cal had an unimpressive debut. He scored 10 points on 5-of-20 field goal shooting, including 0-for-7 from three-point range. He did, though, play some tough defense on Houston's Tracy McGrady.
MEDICAL WATCH
--The Grizzlies are healthy.
