HOUSTON – This was why they wanted him, to play the role of hired assassin and resident defensive stopper for a team that so many believed was one piece away from championship caliber before his arrival.

The Houston Rockets and Ron Artest appeared to be quite a fit in the first quarter of Friday night's 95-90 exhibition win over the Kings at Toyota Center. With new teammate Tracy McGrady not playing because of a surgically repaired left knee and incumbent starting small forward Shane Battier out because of foot pain, the former Kings small forward went to work on both ends of the floor with decisiveness and dominance.

Artest buried a 20-footer from the right wing just 14 seconds in, then wrestled a loose ball away from his replacement, John Salmons, on defense in the opening moments to set an early tone of physicality. He was a scorer and an agitator as only he can be, scoring all 13 of his points in the first quarter to put his old team in an early 30-20 hole. Artest also had three assists.

"We knew, in this game, he was wanting to come out really strong," Kings center Brad Miller said of Artest. "That is just what he does. We didn't come out to match their intensity, especially his. Everybody likes to play one of your old teams, especially one that traded you."

It didn't take long, but Artest had pushed the Kings into a mini-regression in their developmental path. While Sacramento's exhibition season-opening loss at Portland was humbling, the starting units had fared well against Oklahoma City, the Lakers and the Clippers. This time, the forward movement came only against the Rockets' second unit in the second half.

Yao Ming had continued what Artest started, repeatedly dropping half-hooks over Miller's outstretched hand. He hit 5 of 6 first-half shots for 11 of his 15 points, and the Rockets led 52-37 at halftime. The Kings couldn't find the nets, hitting 14 of 44 shots as Kevin Martin and Salmons were a combined 3 of 16 at the break.

If there was any revenge factor here for Artest – and he said there wasn't – there shouldn't have been. The trade that returned him to national relevance was a best-case scenario for his situation, a prime chance to prove his worth in the final season of his contract before becoming a free agent next summer.

Before tipoff, Artest ran to the sideline to reach Kings coach Reggie Theus. The two engaged in a hearty handshake, followed by Artest giving a bear hug to assistant and longtime friend Chuck Person. The niceties continued until the ball went up.

Artest's absence left a void in the Kings' intensity department. Artest is considered by many in the NBA as one of the game's most passionate players, excessively so at times but forceful in his approach nonetheless. It is one of the many questions surrounding the new-look group, with a focus on up-tempo play and offensive freedom established but the collective competitive personality not yet defined.

"We know what happens when we don't come out with that intensity," said Salmons, who went 4 of 15 from the field and had 11 points in 28 minutes. "Like coach always says about last year, we had that reputation of playing hard around the league. That's the only way we're going to be in these games is if we come out playing hard."

It's a problem the Rockets shouldn't have.

"I didn't expect Ron to be like he is," Rockets guard Von Wafer said. "What he's giving us, I didn't expect it.

"Ron's a great guy, and he will go all out for you. Once he's on your side, he will go all out for you."

The most substantial piece of the trade from the Kings' perspective – rookie small forward Donté Greene – flashed his outside range for the first time. He made 3 of 5 shots from the field for nine points.

Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.