Third-quarter surge sparks Mavericks over Rockets

Anthony Davis scored 29 points on 14-of-19 shooting and collected eight rebounds to help the Dallas Mavericks post a solid 122-107 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

Brandon Williams matched his season high of 20 points and Cooper Flagg added 19 points as Dallas won for the fourth time in five games. Naji Marshall scored 15 points, P.J. Washington added 14 points, seven rebounds and matched his career high of five steals and Ryan Nembhard had 11 points and seven assists for the Mavericks.

Kevin Durant scored 27 points despite sitting out the fourth quarter and Jabari Smith Jr. added 22 points for the Rockets. Aaron Holiday had 19 points and fellow reserve Reed Sheppard had 12 as Houston sustained its worst losing margin of the season.

The Mavericks outscored Houston 37-20 in the third quarter to break open a tie game and take a 17-point lead. Davis had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the period.

Dallas shot a sizzling 59.8% from the field, including 7 of 19 from 3-point range. The Mavericks scored 34 points off 20 Houston turnovers.

The Rockets made 50.6% of their attempts and were 10 of 29 from behind the arc while losing for just the second time in seven games. Alperen Sengun (illness) missed his second straight game.

Durant scored 20 first-half points in a contest tied at 57. Williams had 13 points in the half for Dallas.

Houston started the third quarter off well and led 68-65 after Clint Capela's dunk with 7:24 left in the period.

The Mavericks answered with 14 straight points. Washington finished the surge with back-to-back dunks to give Dallas a 79-68 lead with 4:33 remaining.

Marshall buried a 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left to cap out the strong period as the Mavericks took a 94-77 advantage.

Marshall made two free throws and Nembhard added a basket to start the fourth quarter as Dallas pushed its lead to 21.

Nembard drained a 3-pointer to make it 105-83 with 9:14 left before Houston scored 16 of the next 22 points. Josh Okogie buried a 3-pointer and Aaron Holiday converted a three-point play as the Rockets moved within 111-99 with 5:10 remaining.

Flagg and Marshall notched back-to-back baskets as Dallas led 120-105 with 2:24 left. Flagg slammed home a dunk with 1:52 remaining as the Mavericks finished an impressive victory.

--Field Level Media