Durant scored 21 points and 6 rebounds, Sengun contributed 24 points and 11 rebounds, Davis was absent, and Flagg added 12 points; three Rockets players scored 20+ as they defeated the Mavericks.

On November 4th Beijing time, the Rockets played the Mavericks at home in the NBA regular season, with Davis out injured. After four quarters, the Rockets triumphed 110-102. For the Rockets, Durant had 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists; Sengun posted 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists; Amen scored 27 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists; Eason added 15 points and 4 rebounds. For the Mavericks, Washington scored 29 points with 12 rebounds and 3 assists; Christie had 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists; Gafford contributed 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks; Flagg put up 12 points and 5 rebounds; Russell had 10 points and 12 assists; Clay added 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.

In the first quarter, Christie and Flagg scored consecutively to give the Mavericks a 4-0 lead, but Amen and Sengun responded with powerful dunks in the paint to tie the game. Flagg, Clay, and Christie each took turns scoring, helping the Mavericks regain the lead. Flagg has been adjusting well to the NBA’s intensity, shooting 4-for-5 for 9 points in the quarter. Although the Rockets boast star players, Durant, Amen, and Sengun struggled a bit with their shooting early on. The Mavericks led 28-24 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Rockets woke up and went on a 9-2 run to take the lead. Their strategy focused on isolating Durant for one-on-one plays and capitalizing on rebounds for fast breaks, which quickly narrowed the Mavericks’ lead. Amen and Eason’s shots helped the Rockets maintain a slight advantage. Sengun’s high lob assist led to an alley-oop dunk by Amen that amazed the crowd. Flagg responded with a banked three-pointer. Near the end of the quarter, Amen scored again in the paint, and the Rockets led 58-55 over the Mavericks.

In the second half, the Mavericks answered with a 7-2 run to retake the lead. Christie hit a three-pointer from an open spot, while Sengun replied with a hook shot for two points. Holiday made his first three-pointer and first points of the game, helping the Rockets regain the lead. Despite struggling from beyond the arc, the Rockets relied on strong performances from Sengun and Amen to keep their advantage. Late in the quarter, Washington drove in for a bank shot to add two more points, putting the Rockets behind 78-81.

In the final quarter, the Rockets went on another surge, an 8-2 run to extend their lead. Washington aggressively attacked the basket, drawing a foul on Sengun, then assisted Gafford for an alley-oop to cut the deficit by two. Russell’s three-pointer from outside forced a Rockets timeout. After the break, Durant found his shooting rhythm from deep, hitting two consecutive shots. Washington answered with a soaring and-one layup over Durant to tie the game. Amen drove to the basket to stop the Mavericks’ momentum, with the score seesawing back and forth. In the closing moments, Sengun’s floater and free throws from Okogie and Amen sealed the victory. The Rockets ultimately won 110-102 over the Mavericks.

Rockets starters: Durant, Eason, Sengun, Okogie, Amen

Mavericks starters: Clay, Washington, Gafford, Flagg, Christie