Fourth-quarter separation
The Dallas Mavericks turned a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter into a 132-115 preseason victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday, with Marcus Smart scoring 20 points for Houston and Kyrie Irving scoring 17 for Dallas. The Mavericks outscored the Rockets 37-30 in the final period to finish the game at Venetian Arena in Macao, China.
Dallas held a 95-85 advantage after three quarters and continued to add to it in the fourth. Zaccharie Risacher scored on a 23-foot 3-pointer early in the period, and later added a tip-in dunk, a reverse dunk and a 10-foot two-point shot. Dallas also received fourth-quarter scoring from Naji Marshall, Tarik Biberovic, Sergio de Larrea, Tobi Lawal, Seth Lundy and Jett Howard.
How the game unfolded
Dallas led 28-27 after the first quarter, then created more distance in the second. The Mavericks outscored Houston 30-24 in that period and took a 58-51 lead into halftime. Houston responded with 34 points in the third, but Dallas scored 37 to preserve its advantage.
Houston briefly moved in front during the third quarter when Amen Thompson's 23-foot 3-pointer made the score 66-64. Dallas answered with baskets from Risacher, Max Christie and Cooper Flagg, among others, and regained control before the final period.
