HOUSTON -- It marked another blistering start in a young season full of them for the Rockets, a burst from the starting gate that both propelled Houston to victory and put its opponent in a hole that proved impossible to escape from.The Rockets attempted to blitz another foe when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.Even on the second night of a back-to-back the Rockets (17-7) found the energy to muster a 36-point first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night, a surge strong enough to carry them through lulls in the second and third periods en route to a 109-87 home victory.Houston has made a habit of fast starts and paces the NBA in first-quarter scoring at 31.5 points per game, nearly a full point ahead of the Cavaliers who rank second averaging 30.8 points in the first quarter this season.We played well in the first quarter, said Rockets reserve guard Eric Gordon, who tallied six points in six minutes off the bench in the opening period. I think teams are trying to figure us out. We score a lot in the first quarter.With James (Harden) being the point guard, its always going to be trouble for the other team.Harden played the entire first quarter against Dallas and posted 13 points (on 3-of-4 shooting) and seven assists to lead the Rockets on their opening kick. In nine home games this season Harden is averaging 11.4 points (on 67.4 percent shooting) and 3.7 assists in the first period.Setting such a blistering early pace has enabled the Rockets to weather all variations of opposing storms, and that consistent first-quarter production is behind their fast start out of the gate.Yeah, were starting to find (balance). Were getting better but were still not where we want to be, Harden said. Especially in the first quarter. We want to get off to a really good start.The Nets (6-16) dropped to 1-9 on the road with their 130-101 loss in San Antonio on Saturday night. They continue to trudge on without guard Jeremy Lin, who has been sidelined for 17 games with a left hamstring strain. The Nets have missed 50 games due to injury this season.Lin was off to a solid start in Brooklyn, averaging 15.0 points and 6.2 assists over five games before being sidelined. He returned to practice late last week but the Nets have not set a date for his return, choosing instead to follow a cautious path.I wanted to come back as early as I can obviously but were taking a healthier approach in terms of making sure that this wont bother me again, Lin said. Sometimes that takes a little bit longer.I really appreciate this staff and what theyve done to try to help me in terms of everything.While showcasing patience, Brooklyn also needs the reinforcements. The Nets have dropped 11 of 13 and are struggling mightily to pair their hastened style of play with any semblance of defensive functionality. Brooklyn leads the NBA in pace at 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes and ranks 29th in defensive rating at 112.1 points allowed per 100 possessions. Kings Jerseys From China . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Discount Kings Jerseys . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. http://www.cheapsacramentokingsjerseyschina.com/buddy-hield-jersey/ . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Justin Jackson Jersey . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Youth Kings Jerseys .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville coach Rick Pitinos concerns about the early season schedule causing his 12th-ranked Cardinals problems might be merited at some point.Right now, the Cardinals are handling non-conference opponents with surprising ease.Jaylen Johnson had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Deng Adel added 11 points and Louisville jumped on Long Beach State quickly for an 88-56 blowout Thursday.The Cardinals (3-0) outscored the 49ers 23-2 over a 5:28 span in the first half for a 30-8 lead en route to their third straight 30-point win to open the season. Louisvilles height advantage made the difference on both ends as it controlled scoring in the paint 42-20 and rebounding 51-37.Louisvilles fast, effective start toward that end impressed Pitino enough to compare his teams effort to the 2013 NCAA championship squad, which is saying something this early in the season.That was really, really special to see, said Pitino, whose team made 11 of their first 14 shots before finishing at 45 percent (34 of 76) from the field. That was a clinic at the offensive end and a clinic at the defensive end.Johnson helped get the Cardinals going with 10 points and seven rebounds in the first half en route to his second double-double in three games.I just make sure Im more efficient, said Johnson, who made 7 of 11 from the field in 18 minutes.The 49ers (1-3) made just 18 of 61 from the field (30 percent) and couldnt slow the Cardinals in any phase while losing to their second ranked Atlantic Coast Conference foe in three days. Fifth-ranked North Carolina used a quick start to beat Long Beach State 93-67 on Tuesday night.It was similar because we just werent able to withstand that first blow to stay in the game, 49ers coach Dan Monson said. Once we got comfortable, its too late. Games over. You come on these road trips to try to put your kids in adversity to get them better and I dont feel like we handled it any better than we did Tuesday.Mangok Mathiang added 11 points and Ray Spalding had 10 for Louisville. The Cardinals blocked nine shots in winning the first of four games in the Battle 4 Atlantis that continues next week in the Bahamas.ddddddddddddEvan Payne had 15 points and Gabe Levin added 12 for Long Beach State, which fell to 0-3 against the Cardinals.THE BIG PICTURELong Beach State: Just when the 49ers seemed capable of playing Louisville close at 7-6, they missed their next 10 shots and 14 of 16 overall in a drought that dug an insurmountable hole. That comes two nights after they trailed North Carolina 14-0. ... Long Beach State committed 19 turnovers leading to 25 Louisville points.Louisville: Good thing the Cardinals dominated the paint, because their perimeter shooting is still a work in progress. Adel and Donovan Mitchell (eight points)