HOUSTON -- Josh Smith went 4-of-5 from the 3-point line and scored 18 points overall to lead the Houston Rockets over the Dallas Mavericks, 99-94, on Wednesday night at the Toyota Center.
Without the injured Dwight Howard (ankle), six Rockets scored in double figures. James Harden had 17 and eight assists while Donatas Motiejunas got 16 points. Corey Brewer and Trevor Ariza recorded 14 and 13, respectively. Terrence Jones added 10.
But the man of the night was Smith, who grabbed six boards and made big defensive plays late in the fourth quarter.
"I thought his couple of blocks late were huge. He protected the rim" Rockets head coach Kevin McHale said.
Monta Ellis led Dallas with 33 points and 5 assists, while Chandler Parsons accounted for 21. Dirk Nowitzki struggled with just 14 points for the Mavericks, who won their fourth straight assignment, dropping their record to 30-17.
Point guard Rajon Rondo was a non-factor for Dallas with zero points and five assists.
The Rockets, winners of three straight, improved to 32-17.
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Franco Ching Alsay.