NBA Recap: Dallas Mavericks edge out the Houston Rockets 111-106
Tyson Chandler erupted with a season-high 21 points and 15 rebounds to marshal the Dallas Mavericks past the Houston Rockets 111-106 on Thursday night at American Airlines Center.
Chandler and Jason Kidd posted double-doubles while five other Mavericks also scored in double figures to hold off the relentless Rockets. Reserve guard J.J. Barea had 19 points while Jason Kidd added 11 points and 10 assists as
the Mavericks won their third straight.
"Barea has been a difference-maker for us and Tyson's getting more involved offensively, which is good," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said after the game.
Dirk Nowitzki struggled a bit on the night and only contributed 18 points for Dallas, who have now won four of their last five, following a six-game losing streak.
Luis Scola finished with a game-high 30 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, who lost the 26th game of the season. Kevin Martin ended with 27 while Chuck Hayes had a career-tying 16 points for Houston. Rockets
guards Kyle Lowry and Aaron Brooks had a disappointing night and both shot only 2-for-10 from the field.
The Mavs established a very strong base early on as they shot 52.2 percent from the field in the first quarter. Dallas led by as many as 21 points in the first twelve minutes as the Rockets struggled to find their shots, shooting
28.6 percent (6-for-21) in the period. Dallas also scored 10 points in the quarter off five Houston turnovers, taking a 33-15 lead into the second.
Houston fought hard and shot a sizzling 60 percent from the floor in the second quarter. However, the Mavs also made 56 percent of their shots in the frame to take a 64-47 lead into the locker room.
Houston though finally slashed a massive Mavericks’ lead down to two with a 26-6 run in the third quarter. However, they again fell behind by 11 early in the fourth. Houston however struck again deep into the fourth. This time
they used a 12-2 spurt to pull within 104-103, but J.J. Barea knocked down a 13-foot jumper and Jason Terry converted four clutch free throws to seal another home victory.
Rick Carlisle said, "I thought that we played three good quarters of basketball and one quarter of subpar basketball," "So, I am glad that we won. I think that the other quarter from tonight is upside and we have to get over it.
I do not have any excuses for it. They are a hard-charging team that keeps coming at you and we have to do a better job when they do."
Do you know?
Dallas is 16-5 in its past 21 games against Houston.
For the first time this season, the Mavericks scored 30 or more points in back-to-back quarters - the first (33 Points) and second (31 Points).
Chandler has now scored in double figures in nine of his last 12 games, after doing so just 11 times in his previous 30 contests this season.
Dallas scored 10 points in the quarter off five Houston turnovers and posted a 13-0 advantage in fast break points.
Despite missing almost the entire season, injured Rockets centre Yao Ming was voted as the starting centre for the Western Conference All-Star squad.
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