Dallas responds after Houston takes the lead
The turning point came in the third quarter, when Houston moved ahead 66-64. Dallas answered with a Zaccharie Risacher tip-in dunk, regained the lead and carried a 10-point advantage into the fourth quarter before finishing with a 132-115 preseason victory over the Rockets on Sunday at Venetian Arena in Macao.
Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Houston, the designated home team in the NBA China Game. Amen Thompson had six assists, and Jabari Smith Jr. grabbed nine rebounds. The Rockets trailed 95-85 after three quarters and were outscored 37-30 in the fourth.
Mavericks build control in the middle quarters
Dallas led 28-27 after the opening quarter. Houston briefly went in front early in the second, taking a 31-28 lead, but the Mavericks followed with a 21-3 run to move ahead 49-34. Dallas held a 58-51 advantage at halftime after outscoring Houston 30-24 in the second quarter.
Houston's third-quarter push included three-pointers from Smart, Reed Sheppard and Thompson. Thompson's 23-foot three gave the Rockets their 66-64 lead, and the teams traded the lead before Isaiah Crawford's three tied it at 77. Dallas closed the quarter on an 18-8 run to establish the 95-85 margin.
