Houston Rockets pulled off an exciting 108-102 win against Dallas Mavericks thanks to Jalen Green’s 24 points and 12 rebounds as well as Alperen Sengun’s double-double performance. Although Dallas attempted a comeback late on in the game, but Houston stood firm and secured their victory.
Rockets’ Lead Narrows but Holds Against Mavericks’ Comeback
After leading by 23 points nearing the end of the third quarter, the Rockets saw their lead reduced to only three in the final minute as Dallas made their push. Dillon Brooks (17) and Tari Eason (15 points respectively) played key roles in keeping their side ahead and were instrumental in keeping their opponents at bay.
Mavericks’ Rally Falls Short Despite Strong Showing from Doncic
The Mavericks’ effort to overturn the result was not enough, even with Luka Doncic scoring 29 points, 15 of which came in the fourth quarter. Kyrie Irving also added 28 points, and Klay Thompson provided 12 points, though it wasn’t sufficient to achieve victory.
Rockets Excel in Shooting and Rebounding
Houston excelled in field goal attempts, taking 97 shots compared to the Mavericks’ 85, aligning with their status as one of the top teams in the league for such attempts. The Rockets also outrebounded the Mavericks 50 to 37, capitalizing on the foul trouble faced by Dallas’ center duo, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively.
Critical Moments and Performance Insights
Doncic hit an important 3-pointer with 1 minute 8 seconds remaining that cut Houston’s lead down to three. However, Amen Thompson of Houston responded immediately with an Amen Thompson fadeaway jumper which sealed their victory and helped put an end to Mavericks 3-point shooting struggles as only 2 of 12 attempts made it in were successful in scoring points for Dallas in the first half.
Looking Ahead to Future Games
On Saturday, the Rockets are scheduled to kickoff a three-game homestand against the Warriors while Mavericks host Magic on Sunday for their own back-to-back series.