Mavs LIVE Updates: FINAL - Mavs 130, Rockets 106
The Dallas Mavericks face a the lottery-bound Houston Rockets on Friday night in search of their fifth win in a row. Playing at the Toyota Center against a young-and-shaky Houston squad, Dallas isn't exactly up against the ropes, but crazier things have happened in the NBA.
While the Mavericks have the better team at the moment, it's possible that Friday night's contest could be nail-biter. With Luka Doncic listed as doubtful due to an ankle sprain, and Kristaps Porzingis on the COVID list, the Mavs don't have any stars left on the roster to make this game a no-brainer… but they do have Jalen Brunson, who has played extremely well when Doncic doesn’t suit up.
In addition to their star players, the Mavs are also without head coach Jason Kidd tonight, who joined the COVID list earlier today.
Perhaps the Mavericks' elite defense can make up for their lack of star power tonight. Coming off a game where Dallas held MVP candidate Stephen Curry to an abysmal 5-of-24 shooting, the Rockets don't pose the same threat as the best team in the NBA.
Despite missing the offensive juggernaut that is Doncic for this game, Brunson, who is in a contract year, has a chance to shine as the guy yet again. He’s averaging a career-high 16 points and five assists. Brunson helped the Mavs stay afloat with a 5-5 record in Doncic’s last 10-game absence.
Facing a team with nothing to lose makes for an intriguing contest. While holding the third-highest pace in the league, the Rockets also have the highest turnover percentage. Without a veteran presence handling the ball, Houston isn’t able to take care of the ball in the same way Dallas can. The Rockets' young core is eager, but not efficient.
Keep up with DallasBasketball.com throughout the night for live game updates.
Starting Lineups
Mavericks: Jalen Brunson, Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell
Rockets: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Jae’Sean Tate, Eric Gordon, Christian Wood
First Quarter (6:46) - Mavs 19, Rockets 8
Dallas gets off to a quick start right out of the gates thanks to the sharp shooting of Reggie Bullock and Maxi Kleber.
First Quarter (4:40) - Mavs 26, Rockets 13
At long last, perhaps the Mavs are getting the Reggie Bullock they thought they were getting when they signed him in the offseason. He has 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from deep so far.
End of First Quarter - Mavs 43, Rockets 23
Despite not having Luka Doncic or Kristaps Porzingis tonight, the Mavs have blown the Rockets off their own home floor through the first period. Reggie Bullock led the Mavs with 12 points. Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr. had six points a piece. Maxi Kleber had 5 points.
Second Quarter (8:40) - Mavs 53, Rockets 35
The Rockets have started off the second quarter with a little more pep in their step, but the Mavs are still fulling in control of this one.
Mavs PR: Season-High First Quarter Points
The Mavericks scored 43 points in the first quarter tonight, which is the most they've scored in an opening period this season. The previous high was 41 points against the New Orleans Pelicans back on December 1.
Second Quarter (3:30) - Mavs 68, Rockets 49
Dallas continues to dominate this game, as Dwight Powell has joined Reggie Bullock with 12 points. The Rockets are playing defense like they ate this monstrosity in pregame.
Halftime - Mavs 80, Rockets 60
Dallas scored a season-high 80 points in the first half, but after give up 60 to Houston, it looks like the Mavs' five-game streak of holding opponents under 100 points could be coming to an end tonight.
Mavs-Rockets Photo Gallery
Third Quarter (5:57) - Mavs 92, Rockets 70
The Mavs have five players in double-figures so far, and it looks like two or three more players could get there before this one ends. Reggie Bullock and Dwight Powell continue to lead the Mavs in scoring with 15 points apiece. The Rockets are being led by Christian Wood, who has scored 18 points.
End of Third Quarter - Mavs 110, Rockets 86
Every single time the Rockets have even sniffed a little bit of momentum, the Mavs come right back and blow the game wide open against. Mavs 10-day man Marquese Chriss had a couple energetic dunks at the end of the third that really got his teammates going... and he showed off his passing skills too!
FINAL: Mavs 130, Rockets 106
The Mavs finished the game with six players in double-digits. Hardaway Jr. led the Mavs with 19 points, and second-year man Josh Green wasn't far behind him with a career-high 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Tonight's win was the Dallas' fifth in a row. Next up for the Mavs is the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
