Rockets beat Mavericks 135-117 as Tari Eason scores 20 points

Rockets seize control

Tari Eason scored 20 points, and the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Houston, the visiting team, took control early and led 27-19 after the first quarter.

Fred VanVleet opened the scoring with three consecutive baskets for Houston, including three-point shots on the first and third plays. Dallas answered with a 3-pointer from Max Christie, but Houston continued to build its advantage. Eason contributed two free throws in the quarter, while Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant each added baskets during the Rockets’ opening run.

Houston extends the lead

The Rockets outscored Dallas 38-26 in the second quarter to take a 65-45 lead into halftime. Cooper Flagg scored twice early in the period for the Mavericks, including a dunk, and later added a 3-pointer. Houston responded with a series of baskets from Amen Thompson, Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Durant.

Smith made two 3-pointers in the quarter and also added a tip-in dunk. Sengun scored on a layup and a dunk, while VanVleet assisted on several Houston baskets. Flagg remained active for Dallas, scoring on pull-up jumpers and free throws as the Mavericks tried to reduce the deficit.

Mavericks make a late push

Dallas outscored Houston 35-34 in the third quarter, but the Rockets still carried a 99-80 advantage into the final period. Durant made two pull-up jumpers and a 3-pointer for Houston, while VanVleet added two 3-pointers. Reed Sheppard also hit three 3-pointers in the quarter.

The Mavericks received 3-pointers from Christie, Tarik Biberovic, Zaccharie Risacher and Sergio de Larrea. Dallas scored 37 points in the fourth, one more than Houston, but the Rockets maintained the margin. Houston finished with 135 points, while Dallas closed at 117.

Leaders and records

For Dallas, Flagg scored 19 points, Dwight Powell had eight assists and Risacher collected eight rebounds. Sengun recorded 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston. The game drew an attendance of 11,564.

The Mavericks moved to 0-1 after the game. The Rockets moved to 1-0.

Sources

ESPN