Tari Eason’s 20 points lift Rockets past Mavericks, 135-117

Houston builds its advantage

Tari Eason scored 20 points, and the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Venetian Arena. Houston’s scoring came in waves across the first three quarters, when the visiting Rockets expanded a 27-19 first-quarter lead into a 65-45 halftime advantage and then a 99-80 margin after three quarters.

Alperen Sengun contributed 10 assists and 10 rebounds for Houston. The Rockets also received a 20-point performance from Eason as they kept the Mavericks from closing the gap after halftime.

First-half separation

Houston opened the game with Fred VanVleet’s three consecutive baskets, including three-pointers on two of the possessions, to move ahead 9-0. Dallas answered with baskets from Max Christie and Cooper Flagg, but the Rockets maintained control through the opening period.

The second quarter provided the largest swing. Houston outscored Dallas 38-26, turning a 27-19 lead into an 18-point halftime edge. Jabari Smith Jr. made multiple three-pointers in the period, while Sengun added points at the free-throw line and on inside baskets. Flagg scored twice in the quarter and added a three-pointer, but Dallas remained behind 65-45 at the break.

Mavericks trim the margin

Dallas outscored Houston 35-34 in the third quarter, but the one-point advantage was not enough to erase the deficit. Flagg finished with 19 points for the Mavericks, while Zaccharie Risacher had eight rebounds. Dwight Powell recorded eight assists.

Houston answered Dallas’ third-quarter scoring with 36 points in the fourth. The Mavericks scored 37 in the final period, but the Rockets retained a comfortable lead throughout the quarter and closed out the 18-point victory.

Records

The loss left Dallas with a 0-1 record. Houston moved to 1-0. The Mavericks were the home team, and attendance at Venetian Arena was 11,564.

Sources

ESPN