The Mavs came into the second of a two-game series against the Houston Rockets at home. Dallas looks to seek vengeance after an embarrassing 36-point loss in Houston on Sunday night.
Coach Carlisle added Mike James and Brandan Wright to the starting lineup, putting Darren Collison and Chris Kaman on the bench to begin the game.
OJ Mayo started off with great first quarter with 5 assists, giving the Mavs a 12-3 run. The Mavs shot 15-of-21 from the field the entire quarter, including Shawn Marion’s 12 points (6-8 FG) and Dirk’s 8 points. Houston Rockets’ point guard Jeremy Lin recorded 15 points, but the Rockets shot 9-for-23 (39.1%) from the floor.
The Rockets began the second quarter with a 15-5 run, led by four three-pointers from Carlos Defino and Chandler Parsons. The Mavs’ 11-point lead to begin the second quarter slimmed down to just a 3-point lead halfway through the period. The Mavs ended the quarter on a 9-2 run with a 4-point lead going into halftime.
At halftime, Marion was the game’s scoring leader with 16 points. The Mavs were 25-for-40 from the field while the Rockets shot 19-for-46. OJ Mayo had just 5 points but with 7 assists. The Mavs had the advantage of Fast Break Points (12 to 4) and Points in the Paints (36 to 16). Rockets’ James Harden led his team with 14 points (3-11 FG, but 7-7 from the free throw line). Also, Chandler Parsons had 13 points including 3 three-pointers.
In the third quarter, the Mavs shot 11-25 from the field. The Rockets were 10-for-16 from the floor. The Rockets got within a 1-point lead after a 15-3 spur towards the end of the third period. Dallas replied from a clutch three-pointer from Vince Carter to begin the fourth quarter with a four-point lead.
The fourth quarter became real aggressive towards the end of the game. Dirk Nowitzki recorded his fifth personal foul and a technical foul after arguing with referees after knocking Carlos Defino during a fast break. Rockets’ gained momentum with 5 points from James Harden to hold a 2-point lead. OJ Mayo gave the Mavs a huge 7 straight points. In the final minutes after two Harden free throws, the Rockets went 0-for-4. That gave the Mavs’ three free throws to end the game.
The Mavs defended their home court and got revenge on the Rockets winning this game 112-108.
Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs in team scoring with 22 points. OJ Mayo displayed a fantastic performance of 12 points and a career-high 13 assists. James Harden shot a total 5-for-17 but 16 for 16 from the free throw line. Harden recorded 28 points and 9 assists. Rockets’ center Omar Asik had a double-double, 12 points and 15 rebounds.
The Mavs look forward to a 4-game road trip, including a big game against the Spurs next Thursday.
GO MAVS!
You must be logged in to post a comment Login
You must log in to post a comment.