Rockets End Road-Trip in Disappointing Fashion, Fall 129-114 to Mavericks
Another Letdown. No Chance. One More Try.
After beating the Bulls in Chicago to start this road-trip and hanging with the Celtics longer than expected in Boston, the Rockets fell victim to another letdown on Thursday night in Dallas. Houston lost 129-114 to Mavericks in a game that was never really competitive. Luka Doncic had another triple-double for Dallas, leading the Mavs with 35 points, 12 boards, and 13 assists. As in the teams’ previous matchup, the Rockets had no answer for Lukamania on Thursday night. Houston at least made the game competitive at home. The latest matchup resulted in more of a lopsided contest Dallas on Thursday night. The Rockets trailed by six points after the first period, and were outscored in every but the fourth quarter, which was essentially “garbage time” in this game.
Jalen Green led Houston with 23 points, while also adding 4 rebounds and assists apiece. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 17 points and dished out 7 dimes. And Jabari Smith Jr. added 16 points, but the Rockets really never stood a chance in this contest. The defeat gives Houston two straight, at the hands of the Mavs, who have now won five consecutive games. The Rockets are now 1-2 against Dallas this season, with the lone Houston win coming when Luka sat out with an injury. The squad will get one more try against Doncic and the Mavs next Monday in the first game of 2023.
The Rockets have one more game in 2022, as they return home to host the reeling New York Knicks on New Year’s Eve. The Knicks have lost five straight games, setting up a perfect opportunity for Houston to ring in the New Year with a victory. They’ll need a better overall effort than they displayed in Dallas if they want to close 2022 on a positive note, and avoid another letdown.