Final: Rockets 115, Mavs 104
Box Score | Highlights
Behind the Box Score
The Mavs scored 1.318 points per possession in both the first and second quarters, and even scored exactly 29 points in both frames, as well. You rarely see that type of consistency, but Dallas found itself up 58-50 at the break following the strong start.
Chandler Parsons crossed the 20-point milestone for the third consecutive game, tying his longest streak as a Maverick. He crossed the 25-point threshold for the third straight game, the longest stretch of his career. He’s also now connected on at least three treys in four consecutive games, also the longest run of his career. Parsons is playing with all sorts of confidence right now, and it’s reflecting in his play. Here’s to hoping he can keep it up for as long as possible.
Notebook
With Zaza Pachulia out, Salah Mejri got the start at center for the Mavs. Mejri dominated in just a few minutes at the end of the OKC game on Friday, and clearly that made an impression on head coach Rick Carlisle, as he got the nod over JaVale McGee and Dwight Powell. The Tunisian center played very well once again, scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, adding 3 blocks in his first career start and only his eighth career game. He’s certainly not lacking in confidence, but he also looks very comfortable on an NBA floor, making plays not typical of a rookie. He’s much older than your average rookie, of course, and has much more professional experience. That obviously helps, but we see players with years of European experience come over and take a while to become well-adjusted to the NBA game. That hasn’t been the case with Mejri so far. He’s an exciting player and I’m sure we’re all pumped to see what he can do for the Mavs moving forward.
The first quarter was a battle between Chandler Parsons and Mejri on one side, and Trevor Ariza on the other. The Rockets wing hit four three-pointers in the first eight minutes of the game and finished the opening frame with 16 points. Meanwhile, Parsons scored nine points and Mejri added eight of his own, mostly coming on dunks. You’d figure there would be plenty of fireworks in a matchup between James Harden and Dirk Nowitzki, and even though Parsons has been on fire lately, I’m not sure anyone could have predicted such a strong start for Mejri and Ariza.
Mejri made one of the best plays of the game. During one sequence in the first half he missed a layup attempt and seemed to fall out of the play. Harden pushed it the other way for Houston in transition, taking it all the way to the rim for a layup himself. But Mejri soared back into the picture at the last second and executed a chasedown block the likes of which I’m not sure we’ve ever seen from a guy who stands 7-foot-2. So impressive.
What’s Next
The Mavs (25-21) play the Los Angeles Lakers (9-37) Tuesday at the Staples Center. Tip-off is at 9:30 p.m. Central.
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