Rockets take control
Tari Eason scored 20 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Houston, the visiting team, established control early and carried a 20-point advantage into halftime.
The Mavericks played at home before an attendance of 11,564. Alperen Sengun added 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston, while Dallas received 19 points from Cooper Flagg.
Early separation
Houston opened the game with three consecutive 3-pointers from Fred VanVleet, building a 9-0 lead. Dallas answered with a 3-pointer from Max Christie, but the Rockets finished the first quarter ahead 27-19.
The gap widened in the second quarter. Houston outscored Dallas 38-26, with the Rockets taking a 65-45 lead into the break. Eason and Sengun contributed to Houston's sustained offense during the quarter, while Flagg scored several baskets and free throws for the Mavericks.
Dallas trims the margin
Dallas came out of halftime with a stronger offensive stretch, scoring 35 points in the third quarter. Houston still added 34 and entered the final period with a 99-80 lead.
The Mavericks scored 37 points in the fourth quarter, their highest total of the game, but Houston answered with 36 to preserve the 18-point victory. Eason added a 3-pointer and three free throws during the final period, and Houston reached 135 points before Dallas closed the scoring at 117.
Flagg finished with Dallas' listed scoring high of 19 points. Dwight Powell recorded eight assists, and Zaccharie Risacher had eight rebounds for the Mavericks. Sengun's 10 assists and 10 rebounds were the listed top totals for Houston in those categories.
Records
The result moved the Rockets to 1-0 and left the Mavericks at 0-1. Houston led 27-19 after one quarter, 65-45 at halftime and 99-80 through three quarters before the 135-117 final.
Sources
ESPN
