The Dallas Mavericks reported back thanks to a phenomenal Luka Doncic and won the Houston Rockets. In the 113: 100 victory, in addition to the Slovenian superstar, a greatly improved defense was particularly impressive.
Houston Rockets (2-3) – Dallas Mavericks (3-4) 100:113
The day before, the Mavs had poured 118 points from the Chicago Bulls, this time their work on their own basket looked much better and the Rockets were only held at 39.5 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from the triple line. James Harden, for example, had 21 points and 10 assists, but only hit 5/17 from the field. Christian Wood did better with 23 points (8/15).
But that wasn’t enough against the Mavs. Luka Doncic reported back with 33 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists, even though there were also 8 ball losses and the three-pointers didn’t really want to fall again (3/10). It was different with Tim Hardaway Jr. This time the swingman came from the bank for once and thanked Rick Carlisle with an outstanding 30 points (11/14 FG, 8/10 3FG).
Josh Richardson and Willie Cauley-Stein also showed strong performances, each with 15 points. Maxi Kleber, in turn, got 9 rebounds and distributed 3 assists, but as a starter remained without a point.
Dallas Mavericks get off to a better start
Both Harden and Doncic had recently missed their teams, but both teams reported back in time for this duel between two Texas rivals. Harden started next to Wall, Wood, Tucker and Nwaba, with the Mavs started next to Doncic Richardson, Finney-Smith, Kleber and Cauley-Stein.
And they started well: Dallas quickly led 12-2, as Cauley-Stein in particular started very actively and the Rockets initially didn’t hit anything. That wasn’t quite as blatant, but the Mavs defended better than last and were initially the more concentrated team on both sides. Doncic contributed 12 points to a 33:21 lead.
The second quarter actually started well for Houston despite a short 15-point deficit, which had to do not least with DeMarcus Cousins, who produced 4 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in three minutes – however, at the same time he also collected two technicals for complaining and was sent to the dressing room early.
Houston is not making a comeback
Houston took the momentum with it and fell to 2 points before Doncic came back from his break and brought the Mavs back into a strong rhythm together with Hardaway and Richardson. The break started at 61:49 Dallas.
Then history repeated itself: Dallas led, lost its lead, and then regained it; before the last quarter it was still 7 points. Houston stayed within striking distance after that, with ten minutes on the clock the Rockets even equalized. But it was never enough to turn the game around, Harden in particular wanted too little to succeed.
6:41 minutes before the end, Harden shortened again to 2 points – the next 12 points then all came from the Mavs. Now the game was finally decided.
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