HOUSTON – Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has sent forward Steve Novak to the L.A. Clippers for future draft considerations.

Novak (6-10, 220, Marquette) averaged 2.7 points over 70 games in two seasons with the Rockets. Houston selected the Marquette forward with the 32^nd overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, which was a choice previously acquired from the New York Knicks.

The Rockets tip off the 2008-09 regular season on Oct. 29 with a 7:30 p.m. start at Toyota Center against the Memphis Grizzlies. The team then travels to Dallas to take on the Mavericks in a nationally televised game on Oct. 30 during “NBA Opening Week…It’s Game Time!” The contests were announced today by the NBA as part of the 2008-09 league schedule.

This season’s home line up again features two games with each of Houston’s in-state rivals, as Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and the Mavericks visit Toyota Center on Nov. 19 and Feb. 20. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs make their way through Houston on Nov. 29 and Mar. 14.

Other highlights on Houston’s 41-game home slate include a visit by 2007-08 NBA Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant and his new-look Oklahoma City squad on Nov. 1, which will be followed by a clash with last year’s Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett, 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics on Nov. 4. Chris Paul and the division-rival New Orleans Hornets invade Houston on Nov. 15 and Apr. 13.

The Rockets play host to Baron Davis and the L.A. Clippers on Dec. 3 and Mar. 28, as well as Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and the Utah Jazz on Dec. 27 and Jan. 21. Reigning NBA MVP Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers tour Toyota Center on Jan. 13 and Mar. 11, while Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat stop in on Jan. 17. In addition to a meeting on Dec. 16, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets make a special 1:00 p.m. appearance on Jan. 19. The Philadelphia 76ers and newly acquired forward Elton Brand hit the floor at Toyota Center on Jan. 28.

The Rockets take on 2008 top draft pick Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 3. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers make their lone stay in Houston on Feb. 26. Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Amaré Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns hit town for one night only on Mar. 6. Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and the Detroit Pistons meet the Rockets on Mar. 18, while the Orlando Magic led by Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis visit on Apr. 7.

Overall, Toyota Center will host 23 Rockets games after the midway point of the campaign, including a six-game home stand from Feb. 11-26. Houston will help usher in the New Year for a seventh straight year with a 6:00 p.m. start on Dec. 31 vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. The Rockets currently hold a 4-2 mark in games they have hosted on New Year’s Eve. The team’s longest period away from home will be a pair of five-game road trips Nov. 6-14 and Jan. 2-9. In addition, Houston plays 20 sets of back-to-back games in 2008-09.

The Rockets will be featured on national television a total of 23 times. TNT will broadcast four Houston games during the season, while ABC will air one contest. In addition, nine Rockets games will be broadcast on ESPN and another nine will air on NBA TV.