Tari Eason's 20 Points Help Rockets Pull Away From Mavericks, 135-117

Houston Seizes Control

Tari Eason scored 20 points, and the Houston Rockets turned a strong second quarter into a 135-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at Venetian Arena. Houston, the visiting team, outscored Dallas 38-26 in the second quarter after taking a 27-19 lead through the opening period.

The Rockets carried a 65-45 advantage into halftime. Alperen Sengun contributed 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston, which also received a 20-point performance from Eason.

Dallas Tries to Respond

The Mavericks improved their offensive output after halftime, scoring 35 points in the third quarter and 37 in the fourth. Houston still added 34 points in the third, however, and held a 99-80 lead entering the final period.

Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 19 points. Dwight Powell recorded eight assists, while Zaccharie Risacher had eight rebounds for the Mavericks.

Fourth-Quarter Finish

Dallas outscored Houston 37-36 in the final quarter, but the deficit remained too large to overcome. Houston reached 135 points before Dallas finished at 117.

Sengun’s 10 assists and 10 rebounds gave Houston a notable all-around performance, while Eason led the Rockets in points. Flagg was Dallas’ points leader in the game.

Records and Details

The result left Houston at 1-0 and Dallas at 0-1. The game was played at Venetian Arena, where attendance was 11,564.

The quarter-by-quarter scoring was Houston 27, 38, 34 and 36, and Dallas 19, 26, 35 and 37. Houston finished with 135 points to Dallas’ 117.

Sources

ESPN