DALLAS — Dallas leaned on defense and timely shot-making Friday night, bottling up Houston in a 110–104 victory that nudged the Mavericks ahead 2–1 in the season series and continued their recent mastery of the Rockets.
The Mavericks held Houston to 41-of-106 shooting, smothering drives and contesting nearly every look to force the Rockets into one of their poorest shooting nights of the season. It marked the fourth time this year Dallas has held an opponent under 40 percent from the field — and the Mavericks remain unbeaten in those games.
Dallas protected the rim, too. Ten Mavericks blocks — their third double-digit swat performance of the season — blunted repeated Houston surges in the lane. The bench added 41 points, another reminder of the club’s depth; it was Dallas’ 19th game with at least 40 points from its reserves.
Max Christie continued his breakout stretch, pacing the Mavericks with 24 points on a blistering 10-of-13 shooting night that included four 3-pointers. He added seven rebounds and has now stacked together three straight games with at least 18 points, the best such run of his career. Over his last three outings, Christie has piled up 67 points — the first 60-plus, three-game stretch of his young career — while posting the most efficient 20-point performance he’s ever had.
Anthony Davis powered Dallas inside, finishing with 26 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. It was the 36th time in his career he’s reached at least 25 points, 10 boards and five blocks, tying Tim Duncan for seventh-most such games in league history. Davis also recorded his sixth 25–10 outing of the season, continuing to anchor Dallas at both ends.
Rookie Cooper Flagg filled the stat sheet again, producing 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. It was already his 15th career game with at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists — and he’s done it in just 35 games. Flagg now leads all rookies in both total points and total assists this season.
Houston refused to fade quietly. Kevin Durant poured in 34 points, his third-highest scoring night of the season, while Tari Eason supplied energy off the bench with 19 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the year. Clint Capela added a defensive wrinkle of his own, tying a career high with five steals.
But each Rockets push was met with a Dallas answer — most of them fueled by stops. The Mavericks are now 3–2 in their last five meetings with Houston, and their latest win came the way their coach will like it best: built on rim protection, rotations, and late-game composure.
