Three Takeaways As Houston Rockets Take Tough Loss Against Mavericks In Dallas

The Houston Rockets couldn't get the job done this Saturday night, absorbing a rough 122-109 loss against the Dallas Mavericks.

It needs to be noted that the Rockets have played their second back-to-back in the last seven days. After dismantling the Phoenix Suns on Friday, the group immediately travelled to Dallas for a Texas showdown with the Mavs.

But with a tiring schedule and Alperen Sengun (illness) still out, Houston had no choice but to endure a wire-to-wire demolition against Dallas, which shot a red-hot 60 percent from the field.

Here are the main takeaways from the Rockets' huge loss against the Mavericks.

1. Third Period Changed Everything For Houston

Both teams were tied at 57 going into halftime, until the Mavericks pulled away and the Rockets let them go.

Out of nowhere, it became a one-sided affair with the Mavericks dominating. Dallas outscored Houston significantly in the third frame (37-10), which is highlighted by a 26-10 run for the final seven minutes of the period.

Anthony Davis was the driving force of the Mavs' third-quarter explosion. With Sengun out, the Rockets had no one to match the superstar big man in the paint who churned 13 of his 29 points in the said period.

The Mavs led by as many as 22 points, and it was too late for the Rockets to regain the momentum for the remainder of the ball game.

2. Houston Haunted By Personal Errors

Entering tonight's matchup, the Rockets were among the worst teams in protecting the ball, tallying 15.8 turnovers per game, which puts them 22nd league-wide so far this season.

As such, their carelessness with the basketball served as another key element for their loss against the Mavericks. They registered 20 total turnovers throughout the 48-minute showdown, and they paid the price by disappointingly surrendering 34 points.

Moving forward, the Rockets have to apply a careful brand of basketball and simply address their turnover woes.

3. Amen Thompson Struggled To Show Up

With Sengun missing his second consecutive game, the Rockets urgently needed a next man up mentality for the rest of their group in aiding Kevin Durant.

While Durant (27 points) earned solid help from Jabari Smith Jr. (22), Houston saw an awful and unreliable evening from Amen Thompson.

After a 31-point performance to spearhead the team against the Suns, Thompson struggled tonight against the Mavs. He finished with a terrible seven points in 2-11 shooting across 33 minutes, and his six turnovers served as the biggest chunk in Houston's problematic play.

It was definitely not the night for Thompson, and he can only seize every rest he can take as the Rockets will be back on the court Thursday to play again, facing the LA Clippers at home.