Anthony Davis scored 29 points (22 in the paint), and the Dallas Mavericks closed the third quarter on a 29-9 run to beat the Houston Rockets 122-109.
The Rockets led 68-65 with 7:24 left in the third quarter. Brandon Williams’ free throw put the Mavericks ahead for good with 6:34 left in the quarter. Davis scored 9 points and Williams added 7 during the run. The Mavericks led 94-77 after three quarters and by as many as 22 in the fourth quarter.
Williams scored 20 points on 8 for 12 shooting off the bench, and P.J. Washington added 14 points (8 in the paint) and 5 steals.
For the Rockets, Kevin Durant scored 27 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. added 22 points and 8 rebounds.
The Mavericks shot 59.8% from the field and 36.8% from 3 to the Rockets’ 50.6% and 34.5%. The Rockets turned it over 20 times, about 5 more than usual for this many possessions. The Mavericks outscored the Rockets 26-8 on the fast break. The Rockets’ starters were outscored 38-26 in 14 minutes together.