Dallas Finds Its Opening
The Dallas Mavericks turned a one-point edge after one quarter into a 132-115 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Houston, but Dallas created separation in the second quarter and stayed in control through the finish.
Dallas led 28-27 after the opening period, then outscored Houston 30-24 in the second. The Mavericks closed the half with a 58-51 advantage, using baskets from Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford and others to extend the margin. Houston kept pace early, with Smart, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard contributing to the Rockets’ offense.
Houston Makes It Competitive
The Rockets came out of halftime with a push. Houston scored the first point of the third quarter and later moved ahead 66-64 after Amen Thompson made a 23-foot 3-pointer. Dallas answered, however, and reclaimed the lead before the quarter ended. The Mavericks won the period 37-34 and carried an 11-point advantage, 95-84, into the fourth.
Dallas then added another 37 points in the final quarter. Houston’s Bruce Thornton, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Oscar Tshiebwe produced scoring plays during the period, but the Rockets could not close the gap. The Mavericks’ lead reached 27 points before Houston scored the final basket of the game.
