They won only one of their four derbies against the Mavs last year. The Rockets got off to a good start to their series of clashes against their neighbors this season by winning on the floor of the American Airlines Center last night (102-108).
A short victory which does not reflect the domination displayed during a good part of the meeting by Jalen Green (23 points and 12 rebounds), Alperen Sengun (17 points and 12 rebounds) and their gang. Yet clumsy, the visitors placed a lot of emphasis on their size and won the duels on a physical level to quickly emerge in the score.
Leading by 13 points after 12 minutes (21-34), they took advantage of the Mavs' difficulties in scoring – only 26 points scored 7 minutes before the break – to widen the gap a little further. Spencer Dinwiddie then signed a good distribution to feed the local interiors, then Luka Doncic took over for the Mavs to return to the locker room by limiting the damage (44-57).
Kyrie Irving sounds revolt
But the feeling of offensive gloom among the Mavs seen in the first period was confirmed subsequently. Amorphous, apart from a tonic Kyrie Irving, the Mavs saw their opponents escape again. After a stolen ball, Dillon Brooks went for a dunk on the counter-attack and could have a smile: his team led by 23 points (59-82).
Author of a basket at the buzzer of the third period, Kyrie Irving was nevertheless responsible for the revolt. Jason Kidd did without his pivots to focus on speed. Rightly so. Luka Doncic and the others found their rhythm, while the Rockets got rusty in turn (3 points in 6 minutes).
The push by the Mavs, who never led in the game, was so violent that twice, from 3-point range, the Slovenian brought his team within one possession of Houston in the last two minutes. But Jalen Green, author of half of his points in the final, and his team showed their solidity to conclude despite an unfavorable dynamic.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Rockets dominate inside. Overall clumsy (41% on shots including 23.5% on 3-pointers), the Rockets pressed inside for easy baskets. This insistence resulted in 58 points scored in the opposing racket, 14 points more than their opponents. Also, the Rockets took advantage of Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively II's foul trouble to dominate the rebounding debates (50-37), which logically allowed them to dominate in second chance points (20-8). ).
– The Mavs are struggling at the start. “ We need to find a solution to get off to a better start. » Jason Kidd's message at the end of the meeting was clear. The startup difficulties displayed are not limited to this part. According to the coach, who points out the problems with fouls and rebounding deficiencies, this has been the case since the start of the season.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
