Houston Rockets lose sixth-consecutive recreation with defeat to Dallas Mavericks in All-Star Anthony Davis’ debut

DALLAS, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Rockets are actually driving a six-game dropping streak after the crew’s 116-105 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday afternoon.

Regarding Houston’s matchup with Dallas, it marked the third assembly between the Lone Star State rivals within the 2024-25 common season. The Rockets performed with out their flooring common, Fred VanVleet, who has been coping with an ankle damage since rolling his proper ankle in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 1.

To not point out, the Rockets vs. Mavs recreation is the primary dwelling recreation for Dallas because the blockbuster commerce on Feb. 2 that despatched Mavericks franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, which despatched shock waves via the league.

It was a extremely anticipated debut for Anthony Davis in his new threads. The ten-time NBA All-Star made his presence felt instantly with 14 factors, 8 rebounds, and three assists in 6-for-8 in field-goal makes an attempt within the first quarter.

At halftime, the Mavs led 65-48 over the Rockets. Houston shot 33% from three-point land whereas Dallas shot 54% from past the arc within the first half. As for Houston’s backcourt, Jalen Inexperienced notched 16 factors and shot 60% in FG made, whereas Amen Thompson recorded 11 factors as Houston trailed by 17 in opposition to Dallas on the finish of the second quarter. Regarding Dallas, AD led the best way with 24 factors, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists within the first half. Nonetheless, the Mavs had been bitten by the damage bug as beginning ahead P.J. Washington was dominated out for the remainder of the sport with a proper ankle sprain.

To start out the third quarter, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka determined to change issues up with a lineup adjustment by beginning heart Steven Adams subsequent to All-Star Alperen Sengun. Adams completed with 12 rebounds whereas Sengun dropped 20 of his 25 factors within the second half.

In the course of the third quarter, Mavericks’ Davis went to the locker room after sustaining a decrease physique damage. The 31-year-old completed the sport with a double-double, recording 26 factors, 16 rebounds, and seven assists. Moreover, Davis had simply returned from an stomach damage.

For the Rockets, the crew tried to slim the Mavs’ lead within the second half, and fought to chop the result in 104-100 with two minutes left within the fourth quarter. Houston shot the ball poorly with 31% from three-point territory. The Rockets’ younger trio of Sengun, A. Thompson, and Jalen Inexperienced mixed for a complete of 74 factors in Saturday’s loss to Dallas.

Relating to the Mavericks, apart from Davis’ dominant debut, stars Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson each dropped 13 factors, however their bench contributed within the scoring column with newly acquired guard Max Christie’s 23 factors alongside Naji Marshall’s 16 factors and Spencer Dinwiddie’s 10 factors.

Saturday’s Rockets vs. Mavs recreation was additionally the primary dwelling recreation for Dallas with out Dirk Nowitzki or Luka Doncic on the roster since 1998.

The Rockets presently sit on the No. 4 seed within the loaded Western Convention. Houston will look to snap their six-game skid when the crew hosts the Toronto Raptors on Sunday on the Toyota Middle.