Mavericks Turn Third-Quarter Tie Into 132-115 Win Over Rockets

Dallas Creates Separation

A 77-77 tie late in the third quarter became the turning point Sunday, as the Dallas Mavericks finished the period with an 18-7 run and carried a 95-84 lead into the fourth. Dallas then outscored the Houston Rockets 37-30 in the final quarter to secure a 132-115 victory at Venetian Arena.

The Mavericks won as the visiting team, while Houston played at home. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 17 points, and Cooper Flagg had seven assists. Sergio de Larrea added seven rebounds for the Mavericks.

Houston Keeps Pace Early

Dallas held a 28-27 edge after the opening quarter, then extended the margin in the second. The Mavericks outscored Houston 30-24 in that period and went to halftime ahead 58-51.

Houston briefly moved in front during the third quarter. Amen Thompson's 23-foot 3-pointer put the Rockets ahead 66-64, and Reed Sheppard's 30-foot 3-pointer later gave Houston a 69-68 lead. The teams were tied at 74 before Dallas rebuilt its advantage and closed the quarter with an 11-point lead.

Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Houston. Thompson finished with six assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. had nine rebounds.

Fourth-Quarter Finish

Houston opened the fourth with consecutive baskets to cut Dallas' lead to 97-91. Dallas answered with a Zaccharie Risacher 3-pointer and continued to add to its advantage. Risacher also had a tip-in dunk, a reverse dunk and a 10-foot two-point basket in the period.

Tarik Biberovic's 25-foot 3-pointer made the score 114-103, and Dallas then moved ahead 121-105 after a Seth Lundy 25-foot running jump shot. The Mavericks reached 132 points before Oscar Tshiebwe's 10-foot floating jump shot produced Houston's final points.

Records and Details

The Mavericks improved to 1-1, while the Rockets also moved to 1-1. The game was played Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Venetian Arena before an announced attendance of 11,711.

Sources

ESPN