Mavericks Pull Away From Rockets 132-115 Behind Balanced Offensive Effort

Final score

Dallas Mavericks 132, Houston Rockets 115. Dallas pulled away for the preseason victory Sunday at Venetian Arena in Macao, where the Rockets were the designated home team for the NBA China Game. Marcus Smart scored a game-high 20 points for Houston. The game was played before an attendance of 11,711.

Six Mavericks scored in double figures, led by Kyrie Irving with 17 and Zaccharie Risacher with 16. Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall and Max Christie had 14 each, and P.J. Washington added 10. Flagg also had seven assists, while Sergio de Larrea collected seven rebounds. For Houston, Reed Sheppard scored 17, Amen Thompson recorded six assists and Jabari Smith Jr. had nine rebounds.

Dallas builds its lead

Dallas held a 28-27 advantage after the opening quarter. The Rockets opened the second quarter by moving in front 31-28, but Dallas answered with a 21-3 run and reached a 49-34 advantage before Houston trimmed the margin late in the half. The Mavericks took a 58-51 lead into halftime after a 30-24 second quarter.

Rockets make a push

Houston narrowed the gap early in the third quarter and briefly moved ahead 66-64. Dallas regained control, however, and closed the period with a 37-34 scoring edge. The Mavericks led 95-85 entering the fourth.

Naji Marshall's free throws opened the final quarter, and Houston answered with six straight points to get within 97-91. Dallas then extended the margin, with Risacher, Tarik Biberovic, de Larrea and Tobi Lawal among the Mavericks contributing during the period. Dallas outscored Houston 37-30 in the fourth quarter to finish with the 17-point victory.

Records

Houston won the first of the two Macao games 135-117, so both teams are 1-1 in the preseason.

Sources

ESPN