The Rockets had done everything to win the Texas derby against the Mavericks, before letting the match slip away.
Because Luka Doncic and his teammates had not woken up from their nap for this late Sunday match. The Slovenian loses balls, hampered by the high and physical defense of Dillon Brooks and, as often in these situations, he groans. To the point of taking a technical foul for having celebrated a whistle from the officials…
First driven by Jalen Green's 15 points in the first quarter, the Rockets are in the lead, to the point of being up to 22 points ahead (34-56) in the second quarter.
It's Kyrie Irving who gets to work to bring Dallas (66-71) back at halftime. Luka Doncic finally gets the measure of the Rockets defense after the break but Houston manages to keep control of the game.
“Uncle Drew” strings together exceptional baskets but Houston responds collectively, with Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr. or Reggie Bullock, and the Mavs cannot get ahead. Fred VanVleet leaves a shot on the way with 25 seconds to go, and Jabari Smith Jr. drops two straight away, and here is Dallas who has the opportunity to snatch overtime. Which Dante Exum succeeds in, Luka Doncic leaving the decisive shot to his partner!
The blow to the back of the head was too hard for Houston, who did not recover from the shock, and finally gave up in overtime (147-136), giving in to the latest attacks from Kyrie Irving (48 points) and PJ Washington.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Rockets’ plan was good. By challenging Luka Doncic from the start of the match, and by insisting in the paint to make Daniel Gafford take quick fouls, the Rockets took the match from the right end, to take up to 22 points in advance. Unfortunately for them, the Mavericks have resources.
– The Mavericks can breathe. If Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. had made one more free throw in the money-time, the Mavs would be biting their nails, having to suffer an unwelcome defeat in the race for the Top 6 in the Western Conference. Instead, Dante Exum was able to win overtime and Dallas confirmed its current good form, with a 14th victory in the last 16 games!
– The “play-in” definitely out of reach for Houston. The hope of securing the play-in had already almost disappeared but it is now out of reach. With this setback, the Rockets can officially no longer play the play-in, finding themselves too far from the Warriors. But the main thing is elsewhere for the club, with the progress of Jalen Green and company, who fought (almost) until the end in this regular 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.
