Mavericks Beat the Unbeaten Rockets 116-111 in Their NBA Cup Opener in Dallas
Houston led by eight entering the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center. Dallas closed the game at the free-throw line for a 116-111 win - its second straight victory over a previously unbeaten team.
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks opened NBA Cup group play with the best win of their young season on Friday night, beating the Houston Rockets 116-111 at American Airlines Center. Houston arrived 5-0, its best start since 2014-15, and left with its first loss. Dallas improved to 4-2, two nights after handing the Oklahoma City Thunder its first loss by the same kind of margin, 120-96, on the same floor.
The game swung all night. Dallas won the first quarter 27-20; Houston answered to lead 51-44 at halftime and carried an 84-76 lead into the fourth quarter. Clint Capela tied the game at 96 in the fourth, and from there the Mavericks won the game at the free-throw line, closing out the five-point win in the first group-play game of the Cup for both teams. Sports Illustrated's recap called it Kyrie Irving's first signature game back in a Dallas uniform.
The result also flips the season's first meeting between the Texas rivals: Houston beat Dallas 128-110 in the October 21 season opener, a game the Rockets broke open in the second quarter. Friday's rematch gives Dallas the early edge in West Group A of the Cup, which stages group games on Fridays through November 27. The Mavericks' Cup run continues at home while Houston, beaten for the first time, goes home to regroup.
