Dallas Mavericks (4-2) beat Houston Rockets (5-1) 116-111 at home on Friday, October 30, after falling far behind. The Mavericks were down 8 at one quarter break and still finished 5 ahead.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Mavericks had the better start, winning the first 27-20 to lead by 7 after one. The Rockets moved in front with a 31-17 second quarter, carrying a 7-point lead into halftime.
The Rockets won the third 33-32 to create some separation, taking a 8-point lead into the fourth. The Mavericks took the fourth 40-27; the Mavericks completed the comeback for a 116-111 regulation win.
What flipped it
The Mavericks got more from their shots, finishing at 59.3% effective field-goal shooting compared with 45.3% for the Rockets. In a 5-point game, that shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Rockets did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 11.7 against 17.4. The Mavericks made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 100 possessions per team, the Mavericks produced 115.8 points per 100 possessions to 110.8 for the Rockets.
Who carried the comeback
Kyrie Irving was the game's biggest individual force for DAL: 35 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast on 12-19 shooting. His Game Score of 31.2 led everyone. His team was +4 with him on the floor.
Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 28 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast on 9-20 shooting, good for a 14.8 Game Score.
Tari Eason (11 pts, 13 reb, 2 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 40% for the Mavericks.
Across the last 9 meetings in our records, Houston Rockets lead 6-3.
The Mavericks are now 4-2, and the Rockets are 5-1. The Mavericks last five before this game: L-W-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.