In the early morning of April 8, Beijing time, the Rockets challenged the Mavericks away. Although the Rockets have little hope of making the playoffs, this game is significant. It was the Mavericks who ended the Rockets' winning streak, and the Rockets have lost four in a row. The Rockets played very aggressively in this game, leading by more than 20 points at most in the first half, but the referee's decision was really incredible, the Rockets were sent off, and the other three starters all carried five fouls. However, in the end, the Rockets were tenacious enough, but unfortunately Jabari Smith Jr. missed two free throws at a critical moment, and the Mavericks tied the score by 3 points and entered overtime, and finally lost 136-147.
After the start of the game, the Rockets were very aggressive, coming up with full firepower, leading 42-27 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Mavericks fought back strongly and recovered 10 points at 39:29. At halftime, the Rockets led 71-66. In the third quarter, the Mavericks continued to chase the score and tied the score. In the face of difficulties, Lao Fan stepped forward and hit consecutive boards to help the Rockets overtake the score again, especially Whitmore's continuous high-difficulty scores. At the end of the third quarter, the Rockets led by eight points at 106:98.
In the fourth quarter, the Rockets widened the gap to 10 points, but the Mavericks were tenacious enough, and a small surge of 7:0 narrowed the gap to only 3 points, and the Rockets were forced to take a timeout. Jalen Green's inability to handle the ball well in the face of the bag is the biggest problem for the Rockets right now. After the timeout, Lao Fan made a mistake, and the Mavericks countered with Irving's mid-range shot. Jabari Smith Jr. also scored three points to color. The Rockets broke the ball, and Jalen Green made Doncic make his fourth foul and hit both free throws. Irving hit a pullup jump shot against Jalen Green's defense. Van Vliet broke too deep and caused a 24-second violation, and the old Van pulled his crotch too much. However, Fan then caused Doncic's fifth foul. Irving hit a mid-range shot to tie the score at 115. Dillon hit a three-pointer. The Mavericks missed a shot, and Jones Jr. caused the Rockets to grab a rebound and foul and hit both free throws. Jalen Green made two free throws on a breakaway foul. Irving made both free throws for Jalen Green's fifth foul. The Rockets have 3 players and 5 fouls.
Irving made both free throws from the foul line to give the Mavericks the lead for the first time. Dillon hit a three-pointer and Doncic hit a three-pointer. Xiao Jia three points also to color. Irving scored on an empty cut layup. Bullock hit a three-pointer. The Rockets lead by 2 points with 37 seconds remaining. Old Van held the ball and caused Exum to foul, and Kidd failed the challenge. Lao Fan made 1 of two free throws, and the Rockets led by 3 points, which was too stretched! The Mavericks came back from a timeout, Irving missed a three-point shot, Bullock grabbed the rebound, and Udoka asked for a timeout. The race ended with 13.6 seconds left. After the timeout, Xiao Jia made two fouls and missed two free throws, and Exum hit a three-point shot to enter overtime. Xiao Jia is too deadly, and this free throw determines that he is not star material.
In overtime, VanVleet broke through to make a foul and hit both free throws. Irving hit mid-range shot. Lao Fan broke through and missed a layup, and Irving made two fouls and made two free throws. Jalen Green made a three-pointer and Exum scored on a breakaway layup. Dillon hit a three-pointer. Irving made two free throws for a foul. Green steals, and Fan scores on a layup. Green made a layup and Doncic had a physical confrontation, and the referee didn't blow it. Washington hit a 3-pointer and the Rockets trailed by 6 points, so there was no suspense. In the end, the Rockets lost the game 136-147. Xiao Jia basically lost his future in this game, and he is destined to be difficult to succeed!