Mavericks Pull Away From Rockets 132-115 Behind 17 Points From Irving

Dallas Takes Control

Kyrie Irving scored 17 points, and the Dallas Mavericks pulled away from the Houston Rockets for a 132-115 preseason victory Sunday at Venetian Arena in Macao. The turning point came in the third quarter, when Houston moved in front 66-64 before Dallas regained the lead and carried a 95-85 advantage into the final period.

The Mavericks then added 37 points in the fourth quarter while holding the Rockets to 30. Dallas led by as many as 19 points, at 132-113, before Houston scored the game's final basket.

Back-and-Forth First Half

Dallas led 28-27 after the opening quarter. Houston held a 27-26 edge late in the period before Max Christie's two-point shot in the final seconds put the Mavericks ahead.

The Mavericks created separation in the second quarter. After Houston opened the period with a 4-0 run to move ahead 31-28, Dallas answered with a 21-3 stretch that included baskets from P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Irving, Daniel Gafford and Zaccharie Risacher. Dallas led 58-51 at halftime.

Houston's Third-Quarter Push

Houston opened the second half with six straight points, including a 3-pointer by Reed Sheppard and a fadeaway by Jabari Smith Jr., to cut the deficit to 58-57. Amen Thompson's 3-pointer later gave the Rockets a 66-64 lead.

Dallas responded as the quarter continued. Risacher tied the game with a tip-in dunk, and the Mavericks moved back in front on a Christie free throw. After Isaiah Crawford's 3-pointer tied the score at 77, Dallas closed the period on an 18-8 run to take its 10-point lead into the fourth.

Leaders and Records

Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Houston, which also got 17 from Sheppard, six assists from Thompson and nine rebounds from Smith. For Dallas, Risacher scored 16, Cooper Flagg had seven assists and Sergio de Larrea collected seven rebounds.

Attendance was 11,711 at the NBA China Game. Houston won the first meeting in Macao 135-117, so both teams are 1-1 in the preseason.

Sources

ESPN