GDT: Mavs vs Rockets (10/30/16) @ 7:00pm CT

[Underdog]

http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=400899491

HOUSTON -- Before panic could set in following an awful defensive performance than many predicted would be common given their roster construction, the Houston Rockets delivered on Friday night a performance that produced a measure of redemption.

In their 106-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas, the Rockets (1-1) avoided the repeated gouging of their defense that marred their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers two nights earlier.

The teams will play again on Sunday night in Houston.

The Rockets struggled to contain Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes, who poured in a career-high 31 points, and occasionally labored to limit dribble penetration and supply weakside help.

But in the third quarter they allowed only 17 points and seized control of the game.

"We got stops," Rockets forward Ryan Anderson said. "We did a good job starting the third quarter. We wanted to have a lot of energy and make this game ours, have them play our tempo. We did a great job of that.

"(Barnes) is a talented scorer and they have a good player in him. But I'm glad that we did a good enough job of stopping everybody else and got the win."

It certainly helped the Rockets' cause that Dallas (0-2) played without perennial All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who was sidelined by an illness but is expected to return when the teams square off again on Sunday night at Toyota Center.

Also serving the Rockets well was the second-half commitment to a hastened pace, with the shift in tempo providing the offensive spark needed to complement the defense.

With the Rockets clinging to a 67-65 lead, guard James Harden drilled three consecutive 3-pointers to push the advantage to 10 points and set a comfortable cushion for the remainder of the game.

Pace will serve as a hallmark for the Rockets this season. Their constant adherence to it is a necessary aspect for their success.

Harden finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while Rockets forward Trevor Ariza scored a team-high 27 points on 5-for-7 3-point shooting.

"One of the problems early in this game is we didn't have pace to our offense," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. "And once James picked up the pace for himself and the team, he got off and that helped us a lot."

While the sample size of two games shouldn't merit too much concern, Dallas must be mindful of its exposed perimeter defense.

The Indiana Pacers torched the Mavericks behind the arc in the opener for both teams earlier this week, hitting on 10 of 19 3-point shots. The Rockets followed suit with 15-of-32 shooting from behind the arc.

Having allowed two opponents to make 25 of 51 3-pointers grabbed the Mavericks' attention and set in motion a specific focus for the rematch.

"We've just got to do a better job with communication," Barnes said to Mavs.com. "You know, we either got too sucked into the paint or guys were over helping. And with a team like this, they shoot a lot of threes.

"If you let one guy get going, then you start reacting to him and they're getting wide-open dunks. So, we'll have to look at some tape before Sunday."

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Having allowed two opponents to make 25 of 51 3-pointers grabbed the Mavericks' attention and set in motion a specific focus for the rematch.

That's gotta be worst in the NBA through 2 games right? If so we can only go up from here.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Oh man, just realized Cowboys and Mavs play at night. Couldda been a nice Sunday to watch Cowboys in the afternoon and Mavs in the evening.

[spreedom]

[Budapest Maverick]

The effin' Rockets again? Watch Ariza sink 5 threes yet another time. If Dirk can't go, I don't see how our offense can outscore theirs, and our D was a huge dissappointment so far. Oh well, maybe today is the day that the ship leaves the station. Marina. Whatever.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I don't know what Cuban did to Ariza's mom, but it must have been pretty terrible.

Still, I think the Mavs will be ready this time.

[Underdog]

@espn_macmahon: Dirk Nowitzki isn't completely over his illness that caused him to miss Friday's game but will play tonight in Houston. "I feel OK," he said. "Good enough to obviously make the trip and hopefully get a win."

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Budapest Maverick

If Dirk can't go, I don't see how our offense can outscore theirs

Dirk will be there but probably not at full strength so they'll have to.
Dirk will probably sit out several games this year anyway so others will need to step up.

I'll say it again, if Dirk is our best player this season we are in big trouble. Not a knock on him by any means but we need at least one other person to carry the bulk of the load.

[Skywalker]

Easy win.

[Vinsanity]

This one's pretty simple. Dirk sits, we lose. Dirk plays, we win. Even with Ariza making his usual 5 threes against us we should be fine if the goat plays tonight.

[CGM]

Four factors guarantee a Mavs' win tonight against the Rockys:
1. Dirk, obviously
2. Rockys overconfidence
3. On the road = less pressure
4. The hate I feel for Harden & Ariza

Mavs - 100
Rockys - 98

[yahyes]

Team badly needs to bounce back and get their first regular season win. It's about the team being able to mesh now that they have played multiple games together. The main players. Barnes needs more minutes. Play him the most.

[spreedom]

Dirk an extremely late scratch, Seth starts at the 2.

Hopefully Barea and Deron minutes staggered a little more here.

[EricaLubarsky]

F the Rockets

[Melonhead]

This team is so bad. Also, Rockets adding Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon (so long he stays healthy) were good moves. Mavs meanwhile getting "steals" like Seth Curry.

[yahyes]

Find your offense, Mavs.

[Melonhead]

I vote to sim this season. Only 79 more games of the mavs being down after every 1st quarter and watching them scrap to tie it/lose in the 4th.

[AO41]

Crazy 3s...only against the Mavs

smh

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

This team is so bad. Also, Rockets adding Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon (so long he stays healthy) were good moves. Mavs meanwhile getting "steals" like Seth Curry.

Curry hasn't played great so far (through TWO GOD DAMNED GAMES) but he was 100% a steal. Doesn't even have to play much better to be worth less than 4% of our cap.

[Dan1]

Damn we miss Dirk badly.

Our offense sucks right now.

[Skywalker]

So apparently our defensive strategy is to keep giving them 3s and and-ones

[Skywalker]

lol

Why am I not surprised

[EricaLubarsky]

I picked the wrong season to stop sniffing glue

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Dan1

Damn we miss Dirk badly.

Our offense sucks right now.

We're shooting 47%. Our offense is fine.

It's defense and rebounding we suck at and Dirk isn't helping either.

[EricaLubarsky]

When do we win our first game?

[EricaLubarsky]

Our defense freaking sucks

Allowing 56% overall and 50% from three

[yahyes]

Mavs gotta stop playing into their constant 3 point chucking. Need better shot selection and consistency on defensive stops.

[Skywalker]

I think I'd give up watching NBA basketball if I had to watch 82 games of James harden

[yahyes]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I think I'd give up watching NBA basketball if I had to watch 82 games of James harden

It's still the same flop routine with his way of playing, yeah..

[yahyes]

Bogut don't play in the paint

[Skywalker]

Bit of a momentum killer

[yahyes]

Mavs are almost there to make a big run

[CGM]

Zalah Ninja Zkillz are Madz....

[yahyes]

Mejri didn't do anything. Ariza's should get a flagrant

[EricaLubarsky]

Refs suck

[EricaLubarsky]

F these refs. Jesus

[EricaLubarsky]

Refs making this one completely unwatchable.

[EricaLubarsky]

Wow. Just wow. Worst refs I've seen in a while.

Rockets get moving screens and can shove the ballhandler but we cant

[yahyes]

We actually have a center rotation. Mavs are almost there to get the lead if they select other ways into scoring. Anderson can dunk it.

[Skywalker]

Our zone is a complete mess lmao