Houston survives Dallas’ late surge as Thompson, Sengun, Eason, and Smith ship clutch performs in a good Texas rivalry end.
The Houston Rockets walked into Toyota Heart decided to regulate their fourth matchup of the season towards the Dallas Mavericks. From the opening tip, that power confirmed: Houston attacked the paint, pushed Dallas defensively, and leaned on their athleticism to carve out a slim however regular benefit. By the tip of the primary quarter, the Rockets led 31–28, a margin constructed nearly totally on inside dominance. Each possession mattered, and each run was answered instantly.
Houston’s confidence solely grew within the second quarter. Jabari Smith Jr. discovered his rhythm from past the arc, pulling down a number of threes that widened the hole, whereas Houston’s transition recreation kicked into excessive gear. With 17 quick break factors on the night time, the Rockets exploited each Dallas turnover and each late rotation. At halftime, their 59–51 lead mirrored a crew clicking from high to backside.
Dallas saved the sport respectable early via Cooper Flagg’s relentless scoring. Flagg, coming off an enormous 49-point outing the earlier night time, seemed snug in each offensive spot — midrange pull-ups, drives, and put up touches. However even along with his manufacturing, Houston’s early management felt deliberate and sustained, as if the Rockets have been pacing themselves for the inevitable push Dallas would try later.
Cooper Flagg Heats Up, and the Rivalry Tightens
Because the third quarter unfolded, the Mavericks lastly tapped into the momentum they’d been trying to find. Dallas outscored Houston 31–28 regardless of Houston briefly stretching the result in 13 after Josh Okogie drilled a well timed three from the wing. The Mavericks countered with a mix of strategic shot-making and defensive depth that chipped away on the Rockets’ cushion.
This was the portion of the sport the place Cooper Flagg’s expertise took middle stage. His mixture of shot creation, footwork, and poise repeatedly broke down Houston’s coverages. He wasn’t simply scoring; he was working like a seasoned star, tallying rebounds and establishing teammates when the protection collapsed. By the tip of the quarter, Flagg had moved inside putting distance of one other marquee efficiency.
Dallas discovered extra sparks in key moments — Klay Thompson’s back-to-back threes within the fourth quarter sliced Houston’s lead right down to single digits. For a crew trailing many of the night time, these pictures lastly made the Rockets uncomfortable. Because the constructing tightened, Dallas sensed its alternative.
Amen Thompson Controls the Fourth Quarter Tempo
Amen Thompson entered the fourth quarter enjoying just like the steadiest presence on the ground. His stat line — 21 factors, 9 assists, eight rebounds — captures the manufacturing, however not the composure or management he exerted over the ultimate minutes. When Dallas threatened to overhaul the Rockets, Thompson adjusted the tempo and created scoring home windows Houston desperately wanted.
He delivered one of many recreation’s defining moments with an alley-oop dunk inside two minutes, resetting Houston’s momentum simply as Dallas seemed able to steal it. That play symbolized his impression: studying the protection, pushing stress to the rim, and ending with power. Thompson’s management didn’t waver when Dallas tied the sport moments later, both.
Each possession he orchestrated helped Houston gradual Dallas’ momentum. Even when Cooper Flagg attacked the Rockets on one finish, Thompson stayed poised on the opposite, navigating visitors, threading passes, and guaranteeing Houston stayed in vary to reclaim management.
Cooper Flagg Leads a Livid Mavericks Push Late
With underneath 5 minutes remaining, Cooper Flagg launched the Mavericks into their most harmful run of the night time. His scoring flurry powered a 6–2 surge, trimming Houston’s result in simply six factors. Naji Marshall added a key drive to tie the sport at 107–107 with simply over 30 seconds left. For a stretch, it appeared Dallas had seized the rhythm totally.
Flagg completed with 34 factors, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists — numbers that underscore how shut he got here to dragging a short-handed Mavericks crew throughout the end line. Coming off a 49-point efficiency the night time earlier than, he stepped proper again right into a starring position with out hesitation. His composure underneath stress, potential to interrupt down matchups, and willingness to hold Dallas possession after possession turned the ultimate minutes into must-watch basketball.
However as electrical as Flagg’s stretch was, Houston’s steadiness in the end proved extra sustainable. Dallas discovered themselves climbing uphill from the opening quarter, and each time they drew shut, Houston’s counterpunch landed cleaner.
Alperen Sengun and Tari Eason Seal Houston’s Win
After Dallas tied the sport late, the ultimate 30 seconds got here right down to element, execution, and self-discipline. Alperen Sengun delivered the primary dagger — a peaceful, under-control layup with 28.6 seconds remaining, pushing Houston again forward 109–107. It was a becoming second for Sengun, who battled all night time for positioning, rebounds, and environment friendly put up touches.
Seconds later got here the closing blow. When Dallas missed on their subsequent try, Tari Eason sprinted out, elevated, and hammered dwelling a dunk with 14.4 seconds left. The play didn’t simply lengthen the lead; it delivered a momentum jolt that evaporated Dallas’ comeback hopes. Eason’s 17 factors off aggressive slashing and well timed cuts made him one among Houston’s most useful items within the fourth quarter.
Flagg had one last probability to increase the drama with a three-pointer within the closing seconds, however the shot rimmed out, sealing Houston’s hard-fought 111–107 victory.
Inside Houston’s Statistical and Strategic Execution
Past the spotlight moments, Houston’s win grew from a disciplined statistical define they maintained from begin to end. They outscored Dallas 62–58 within the paint, managed the break with a 17–9 quick break benefit, and saved turnovers to only 5 — an enormous distinction to Dallas’ 11 giveaways.
These giveaways turned 11 factors for Houston, whereas Dallas managed solely six in return. Though Dallas held a rebounding edge, Houston’s effectivity in each transition and half-court settings made the distinction. Their largest lead grew to 13 factors, a margin that repeatedly gave them the respiration room they wanted when Dallas surged.
Each Rockets starter contributed important moments: Jabari Smith Jr.’s 19 factors and three threes, Sengun’s 14 rebounds, Okogie’s momentum-extending three-pointer within the third, and Kevin Durant’s essential jumper within the fourth. Houston’s mix of youth, talent, and veteran calm created the method for overcoming Flagg’s brilliance.
Last Ideas
Houston’s victory over the Mavericks didn’t hinge on one play or one stretch — it was the buildup of composure, execution, and well timed energy from a roster that believes in its trajectory. Amen Thompson authored one among his most mature performances of the season, a close to triple-double that framed each large second. Cooper Flagg responded with superstar-level manufacturing that just about stole the night time, proving once more why he is without doubt one of the league’s fastest-rising rookies.
However when it mattered most, Houston’s steadiness prevailed. From Sengun’s go-ahead layup to Eason’s authoritative dunk, the Rockets confirmed why their 30–17 document displays extra than simply expertise — it displays identification, poise, and the flexibility to shut the door on a comeback try earlier than it turns into a collapse.
Houston earned this win possession by possession, and Thompson’s management pulled them via the ultimate seconds of a rivalry showdown constructed for primetime.
