20 points from Marcus Smart were not enough for Houston, as the visiting Dallas Mavericks defeated the Rockets 132-115 on Sunday at Venetian Arena. Dallas led 58-51 at halftime, extended the margin to 95-85 after three quarters and finished with a 37-30 edge in the fourth.
Early exchange
The teams traded the lead throughout the opening quarter before Dallas finished ahead 28-27. Kyrie Irving scored 17 points for the Mavericks, including a 25-foot 3-pointer in the first quarter, while Cooper Flagg contributed seven assists. Houston received 20 points from Smart, who made several early baskets and added a 3-pointer during the second quarter.
Dallas then created separation in the second. The Mavericks opened the period trailing 29-28 before P.J. Washington's 3-pointer tied the game at 31. Dallas built its advantage to 49-34, and the Rockets did not erase the gap before halftime. The Mavericks held a 30-24 scoring edge in the quarter.
Houston's third-quarter push
Houston opened the third quarter with a free throw from Smart and a 3-pointer by Reed Sheppard, then moved within one point at 58-57 after a Jabari Smith Jr. fadeaway. The Rockets briefly went ahead 66-64 on an Amen Thompson 3-pointer, but Dallas answered with a 2-pointer from Zaccharie Risacher and regained the lead.
