All-Star guard and MVP front-runner Luka Doncic had a game-high 39 points and 12 rebounds while directing a furious comeback from an 18-point deficit in the second half, leading Dallas to a 111-106 road win (box score) over the Rockets on Monday night at Toyota Center.
Kevin Porter Jr. led Houston with 25 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds on 11-of-20 shooting (55%), while backcourt mate Jalen Green added 20 points and 5 rebounds but on only 5-of-17 shooting (29.4%).
Eric Gordon scored 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting for the Rockets, including 4-of-6 on 3-pointers, while Alperen Sengun added 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%).
Former Rockets big man Christian Wood, traded to Dallas in June, gained some revenge versus his old team with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and a season-high 5 blocks for the Mavericks in 29 minutes, shooting 8-of-14 from the field (57.1%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%).
Dallas (22-16) has won seven straight games, while the Rockets (10-27) have dropped nine of their last 10, overall. Doncic scored 29 of his 39 points in the second half and went to the free-throw line 22 times, which Rockets head coach Stephen Silas did not appreciate.
“The issue was the fouls and the … I don’t have enough money to get fined, so I’ll just stop there,” Silas said after the game.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Toyota Center. Houston returns to action on Wednesday night in New Orleans, with the tip at 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Stephen Silas was proud of the #Rockets effort but "When a guy is able to shoot 22 free throws, it makes it tough." On guarding Luka: "I thought we did a good job on him the whole game. The issue was the fouls and… I don't have enough money to get fined so I'll stop there."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 3, 2023
The Rockets lost this game because they got selfish and stopped moving the ball…No way you blow an 18-point lead to the Mavericks…This is becoming a reoccurring thing and it has to be addressed by coach Silas with some authority…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 3, 2023
Luka Doncic registered 22 free-throw attempts tonight. How did Stephen Silas feel about the officiating?
“I don’t have enough money to get fined.” pic.twitter.com/LNncjNK7g8
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 3, 2023
It looked like Houston was going to get a W tonight, holding an 18-point third-quarter lead, but the spirit of Wemby entered the building from there. KPJ 25 points, EG 19 points on 4-6 from deep, but #Rockets have lost 9 of their last 10, including 7 straight at home.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 3, 2023
KJ Martin is not good enough defensively to make it worth taking Sengun out of the game when it matters
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) January 3, 2023
That was the same play Silas drew up for the Jalen 3 to end the Philly game in regulation, which missed.
I don't like it anywhere near as much, down 3, because it's too tempting to foul Sengun inside the arc when there's no risk to him getting fouled on a 3
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 3, 2023
NEW: Luka Doncic scored 29 second-half points as the #Rockets closed their four-game regular-season series in a loss to the Mavericks.
“I am proud of our efforts tonight.” — Stephen Silas https://t.co/o8Jiz4zjIG
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) January 3, 2023
KPJ EUROSTEP@Kevinporterjr vs DAL
25 PTS / 6 REB / 6 AST / 3 STL / 1 BLK@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/rfHznjrhQZ— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 3, 2023
Alperen Sengun vs DAL
🏀16 PTS
🏀5-7 FG
🏀6-8 FT
🏀6 REB
🏀5 AST@HoustonRockets @alperennsengun #Rockets pic.twitter.com/AiTQHvXKby— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 3, 2023
Eric Gordon 3⃣@TheofficialEG10 vs DAL
19 PTS / 7-12 FG / 4-6 3'S / 4 REB / 3 AST@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/Bjf45qp9tt— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 3, 2023
Calvin Murphy talks about the #Rockets habit of going away from the hot hand (tonight: Eric Gordon) and says this team has done the same with Jabari Smith Jr. pic.twitter.com/s4umCcsxQo
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 3, 2023
With the #Rockets ending their four-game regular season series against the #Mavericks, I asked Christian Wood about the improvements he has seen while facing Houston this season.
“Communication. Being on the floor with them, they were all communicating with each other.” — Wood pic.twitter.com/5ygTTpZRJ5
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) January 3, 2023
More Gordon: "Of course we didn't win the game, but when you look at a loss like this you can say that we still did things the right way." https://t.co/G0lETn3c07
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 3, 2023
#Rockets fall to the Mavs 111-106
Eric Gordon & Kevin Porter Jr talked about the loss@HoustonRockets back in action Wednesday at New Orleans pic.twitter.com/JcWCZP90XN
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) January 3, 2023
