Dallas Basketball

Mavericks set franchise record in win over Houston Rockets

It was a block party in Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
Keenan Womack|
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks

For all of the angst and criticism the Mavericks front office has felt for the last week since the Luka Doncic-Lakers trade, it appears the players either did not notice or more likely, did not care considering the defensive effort they displayed on Saturday afternoon at home.

The Mavs set a franchise record with 18 blocks against the Rockets, their most ever, breaking their 2013 record of 17 blocks in a game against New Orleans. Newly acquired star Anthony Davis had three of the blocks, all of which occurred in the first half before he left the game with an adductor sprain in the second half.

READ MORE: Luka Doncic-Lakers trade gets even worse for Mavericks with latest Anthony Davis injury

Jalen Green and Daniel Gafford
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

With the absolutely brutal news that Davis will be sidelined for multiple weeks with the aforementioned injury, it's hard to find the silver lining in these situations. However, the defensive buy-in seems to be legitimate, and even though the Mavs are now down PJ Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Anthony Davis, players like Max Christie can contribute by playing perimeter defense while Daniel Gafford controls the paint.

While it may be hard to be a Mavs fan right now, the best one can hope for is effort on both ends of the floor.

READ MORE: Mark Cuban attempted to stop Luka Doncic-Lakers trade at last minute

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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