even their surprising blitz of the Bucks showed how much better they look if they can just make open shots.

In the hours that followed, they got what they have so obviously needed, trading for Kevin Martin of the Kings.

it cost them. In addition to Tracy McGrady’s expiring contract, the Rockets gave up second-leading scorer Carl Landry and second-year center Joey Dorsey.

there have been times that Landry has looked as valuable as a scoring guard. but the Rockets had long targeted Martin as the player they needed. He will be reunited with Rick Adelman, should fit well with Yao Ming and find a team in need of what he does best.

after days of talks with the Knicks and Bulls designed mostly to get a prospect, the Rockets got what they wanted and needed most.

ROCKETS 127, BUCKS 99: the Rockets’ offense had fallen apart again, offering no signs of a revival, especially when they opened the game making two of 11 shots. Then Shane Battier hit a three-pointer and the Rockets rolled as they had not all season. the Rockets’ 16 three-pointers far surpassed their previous high this season of 12. Their 57.5 percent shooting, even with a sloppy final eight minutes, was their best of the season, as was their 69.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc. By the time the Rockets cleared their bench with 9:50 still to go, they led by 40, their largest lead this season, and had made 38 of 60 shots and 16 of 21 three-pointers.

NOTES, QUOTES

—As much as Shane Battier is recognized for his defense, he has no objection to scoring. He just has not done it often lately.

Coming off a 1-of-10 shooting game, and with just 16 combined points in his previous four games, he made all six of his three-pointers, scoring 20 points and showing noticeable relief.

“I’ve been very disappointed in my play lately,” Battier said. “I finally feel relieved I helped the guys on the offensive end. it was one of those nights I felt really, really good. the ball was moving. I got my shots in rhythm and I knocked them down. This is what I’ve been trying to get to, a night like this, for a long, long time.”

—Though the player that was the most likely to be dealt, Tracy McGrady, wanted to be, the rest of the Rockets were uneasy with the wait for news. Shane Battier, who had not been mentioned in trade rumors, said it had been “a distraction.”

“Trades used to happen because of what happens on the court,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “Now they happen for contracts, money, clearing salary room for the summer, whatever it is. I’m sure it’s tough on some of the players.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “The basket gets real big, and anything you put up, you feel like you’re going to make. Man, the hoop was big (Wednesday night). we needed to see the ball go in the basket.” — Trevor Ariza.

ROSTER REPORT

ROTATION: Starters — Point guard Aaron Brooks, Shooting guard Trevor Ariza, Small forward Shane Battier, Power forward Luis Scola, Center Chuck Hayes. Bench — Guard Chase Budinger, forward Carl Landry, Guard Garrett Temple, Center David Andersen.

—G Trevor Ariza, making just 30.5 percent of his three-pointers, hit 6-of-7 shots from beyond the three-point arc, scoring a game-high 22 points. Having not made more than half his shots in a game since Dec. 19, Ariza made 8-of-11 attempts.

—F Shane Battier, coming off a 1-of-10 shooting game, turned it around the next night. Battier set a franchise record for made three-pointers without a miss, going 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, scoring 20 points with a game high 10 rebounds and three assists.

—G Aaron Brooks, critical of his playmaking the night before against the Jazz when he had five turnovers and just three assists, consistently drew the defense and found open shooters. He had 12 assists, adding 15 points to help key the rout.

—C Yao Ming (left foot) is expected to miss the season after extensive surgery to repair a fractured bone and reshape the operation of his foot to remove stress on the area.

—G Kyle Lowry (sprained left ankle) is out.

Houston Rockets Team Report