Still too early to call Mavs road warriors, but they were Wednesday vs. Rockets
The Dallas Mavericks have proven that they can play well, and even win, at American Airlines Center, but they hadn’t exactly lit up the NBA while on the road.
That changed Wednesday night.
Luka Doncic scored 20 points, including a 35-foot buzzer-beater to end the first half, and veteran guard Devin Harris poured in 20 more off the bench as the Mavs rolled to a 128-108 victory over the Houston Rockets.
It’s the 108 that stands out as the Mavericks continue to show that they are a defense-first team. But for the first time this season they put together an complete effort to win for only the second time in nine road games this season.
Success on the road starts with energy, involves some composure, and, of course, lots of defense.
“You’ve got to play harder than at home, and when things go bad, you’ve got to stick together and snap out of it,” veteran guard J.J. Barea said Monday after a practice in Dallas. “The defense is huge no matter where you play, but especially on the road.”
The Rockets closed within five points late in the third quarter before the Mavs scored the next nine points. Seven of those game to start the fourth quarter, in which the Rockets were outscored 32-19.
Houston made only 28.9 percent of its 3-point attempts and committed 16 turnovers. Reigning league MVP James Harden registered his first triple-double of the season (25 points, 11 rebounds, 17 assists), but seven Mavs scored in double-digits and the bench contributed 61 points.
Harris led the reserves and scored 15 points in the fourth as the Mavs pulled away. Barea had 13 points and 12 assists off the bench.
“We’re a team,” coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Wednesday. “We have really good players, but we’re a team that’s really the strength is the sum of its parts. And the guys have really come together with a defensive identity, and that’s who we are. We’re a defensive team, and we’re a base team on offense.”
The Mavs will face another perennial MVP candidate Friday in another road game against the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James scored 29 points in a 114-113 Lakers victory Halloween night at Staples Center.
But this is a different Mavs team that it was a month ago. They’re above .500 at 10-9 and rolling after a 3-8 start.
“I think it’s good that we’re taking care of things at home,” Barea said. “I know the way we’re playing now we’re going to do better on the road.”