The Mavericks took on the 11th-ranked Rockets on their own turf, and after a tight battle, they managed to emerge victorious, beating their opponents twice in a week to secure fifth place in the West with a 48-30 record. The Rockets, after experiencing the climax of the previous winning streak, have now suffered a five-game losing streak.
The return of Doncic and Kleber has breathed new life into the Mavericks. However, in the early stages of the game, the Mavericks' offense seemed to be a little slow, but the Rockets were in hot form, and Green's excellent play led them to a wave of climaxes, leading by as many as 22 points at one point. However, Thompson's ejection for a foul added a touch of tension to the game.
The Lone Ranger didn't give up because of this, and they showed perseverance. Owen stepped up at crucial moments, and his outstanding performance led the team to gradually close the gap. The Rockets tried to stabilize the situation, but the Mavericks managed to complete the comeback after Smith Jr.'s key free throw missed. In overtime, the Mavericks were in complete control of the game, and Washington's three-pointer was the icing on the cake to seal the win.
In this game, Irving's performance was amazing, he played for 45 minutes, scored a game-high 48 points, showing his strength as the "king of the last quarter". Kleber also played well, with a whopping plus/minus of 29, making a significant contribution to the team's victory. And Washington's three-pointer in overtime was the turning point of the game.
The Mavericks only need two more wins in the next schedule to lock up the fifth place in the West and be fully prepared for the playoffs. Their opponent is likely to be the Clippers, and it will be a tight contest. The Mavericks have shown great quality and team spirit, and it will be interesting to see if they can make another great run in the playoffs.