The Dallas Mavericks returned to their home court on Saturday night for a crucial matchup against the Houston Rockets, aiming to end a four-game losing streak. The game was significant not only because of the Mavericks’ need for a win but also due to the Rockets’ roster changes. While the Rockets had already defeated the Mavericks once this season, they were missing several key players in that previous encounter, as it was the second night of a back-to-back schedule.

However, this time around, the Rockets entered the game with a fully healthy lineup. That changed just minutes into the game when Alperen Sengun suffered an ankle injury and would not return. Despite this setback, the Rockets managed to build a substantial lead early on. The Mavericks made a puzzling decision to start the game without a point guard, which allowed the Rockets to take an 11-2 lead within 2:39 of the opening tip-off. A few minutes later, the Rockets extended their advantage to 10 points, with Kevin Durant showing immediate dominance.

It wasn’t long before Jason Kidd, the Mavericks’ head coach, realized the importance of having a point guard on the floor. Once the team adjusted its strategy, the Mavericks began to fight back. This change was further supported by Anthony Davis returning to his natural position at center, where he recorded 12 points in just five minutes. By the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks had narrowed the gap to six points.

The second quarter belonged entirely to the Mavericks, as they outscored the Rockets 32-19. Naji Marshall played a pivotal role, scoring eight points in the quarter, while Ryan Nembhard provided solid playmaking. Tari Eason also contributed with seven points, although his performance didn’t carry over into the rest of the game. The Mavericks ended the half with a 57-50 lead.

Despite holding a 7-point advantage at halftime, the Mavericks continued to use a double-big lineup without a point guard, which allowed the Rockets to cut the lead to just one point. However, the arrival of Brandon Williams in the game quickly shifted momentum in the Mavericks’ favor, extending the lead to 13. The Mavericks carried this momentum into the third quarter, finishing with a 87-75 lead.

The fourth quarter saw the Mavericks extend their lead to 17 points, thanks to sharp shooting from Max Christie and Klay Thompson. Although the Rockets chipped away at the lead, reducing it to 10 points with less than five minutes remaining, the Mavericks ultimately held on for a 110-104 victory.

Anthony Davis delivered a standout performance, recording 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the first half. Max Christie followed closely behind with 24 points on efficient 10/13 shooting. Their efforts helped overcome a strong showing from Kevin Durant, who scored 34 points for the Rockets.

Three Overreactions from the Game

Never Play Without a Point Guard Again

While it’s understandable to want to field your best five players on the court, there needs to be someone capable of handling the ball and distributing it effectively. It’s surprising that a former point guard like Jason Kidd would overlook this fundamental aspect. In the first half, once the Mavericks finally introduced a point guard into the lineup, they saw a +16 difference in those minutes. From now on, it’s safe to say that no lineup should ever go without a point guard again.

Max Christie Needs to Continue Doing Whatever He’s Doing

Jason Kidd challenged Max Christie to be more aggressive, especially when it came to taking three-point shots. Although Christie didn’t reach the target of 10 threes per game, he has been noticeably more assertive lately. His dunk in the third quarter was a highlight that felt almost otherworldly. Christie finished the game with 24 points on 10/13 shooting and 4/6 from beyond the arc. With such results, it’s likely that Kidd will push him even harder in future games.

D’Angelo Russell Can’t Be a Maverick Much Longer

D’Angelo Russell has been sidelined for three consecutive games, with one of the absences attributed to an “illness.” However, since December 12th, Russell has only played 32 minutes, scoring 20 points. It’s clear that Jason Kidd has little confidence in him, and it’s hard to argue otherwise. The decision to sign Russell didn’t make much sense, especially considering he came off his worst season in the NBA and had clearly lost some of his athleticism. It wouldn’t be surprising if Russell eventually requests a trade, though it’s unclear if any team would be willing to take him on.

For more updates and coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2025-26 season, stay tuned to MavericksGameday. Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter for the latest news and insights.

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