The Mavericks erased an eight-point deficit in the fourth to hand the previously unbeaten Rockets a 116-111 loss.
Dallas erased an eight-point deficit entering the fourth by outscoring Houston 40-27, then closed a 116-111 win. Kyrie Irving led the way with 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting, four rebounds, nine assists, zero steals, zero blocks and two turnovers. Cooper Flagg added 33 points on 13-of-19 shooting, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block and three turnovers. Daniel Gafford scored 18 on 6-of-7 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds, with two assists, zero steals, two blocks and three turnovers; Zaccharie Risacher added 12 on 4-of-9 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and two turnovers. Kevin Durant had 28 points on 9-of-20 shooting, five rebounds, one assist, zero steals, zero blocks and three turnovers, while Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 on 7-of-15 shooting with three rebounds, two assists, one steal, zero blocks and three turnovers. Houston also got 16 points from Fred VanVleet (6-of-17 shooting) and 15 from Amen Thompson (7-of-15), but Dallas’ fourth-quarter surge decided the game.
Key Performers
Kyrie Irving — 35 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST; 12-19 FG, 5-8 3PT Cooper Flagg — 33 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK; 13-19 FG Kevin Durant — 28 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST; 9-20 FG, 9-13 FT
Standings Impact
Based on the supplied records, Dallas moves from 3-2 to 4-2, while Houston falls from 5-0 to 5-1. The supplied power index listed Houston No. 1 and Dallas No. 12.
DYMA Insight
Dallas’ 40-point fourth quarter flipped an eight-point deficit into a five-point win. Irving and Flagg combined for 68 points, while Gafford added an efficient 18.