Rockets take command
The Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday at Venetian Arena, with Tari Eason scoring 20 points for Houston. The Rockets led 27-19 after the first quarter and extended the margin with a 38-26 second quarter, taking a 65-45 advantage into halftime.
Alperen Sengun supplied 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston. Fred VanVleet opened the game with three consecutive baskets, including three-pointers on two of the possessions, as the Rockets established an early lead. Houston also received scoring contributions from Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and others during the first half.
Dallas trims the gap
The Mavericks outscored Houston 35-34 in the third quarter and 37-36 in the fourth, but the Rockets maintained the lead throughout the second half. Houston was ahead 99-80 after three quarters before both teams produced their highest-scoring quarter of the game in the final period.
Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 19 points. Dwight Powell finished with eight assists, while Zaccharie Risacher had eight rebounds. Flagg scored four points early in the second quarter to bring Dallas within 27-23, but the Rockets answered with a 9-0 run in the scoring sequence that followed, moving ahead 36-23 before the Mavericks responded.
