Dallas Mavericks extends home-court winning streak with Doncic's performance

Rookie forward Luka Doncic authored a late-game comeback with an individual scoring surge and the Dallas Mavericks extended their home-court winning streak to nine games with a 107-104 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

Doncic finished with 21 points and seven rebounds, scoring 11 consecutive points down the stretch after the Rockets secured their largest lead of the game at 102-94. Doncic converted all three of his 3-pointers on the night plus a driving layup during the outburst, his final trey providing the Mavericks with the lead for good at 105-102 with 57.5 seconds remaining. Rookie point guard Jalen Brunson, making his second career start in place of injured guard Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist), added a late layup while producing 14 points, three assists and three steals.

Six Mavericks scored in double figures, with centre DeAndre Jordan pairing 12 points with 20 rebounds while Harrison Barnes and Dorian Finney-Smith scored 14 points apiece for Dallas. Wesley Matthews finished with 21 to share team-high scoring honours with Doncic, drilling 4 of 7 from deep.

James Harden paced the Rockets, who have lost seven of their last nine games, with 35 points and eight assists but missed two 3s as Doncic caught fire. Chris Paul chipped in 23 points and eight assists for the Rockets but misfired on a pair of free throws that would have stalled the Mavericks' late rally.

The Mavericks' early ability to attack off dribble penetration paid dividends on two fronts. Dallas tallied half of its 32 first-quarter points in the paint while also earning seven trips to the free throw line for an additional six points. Additionally, Harden picked up his third foul at the 4:17 mark of the opening frame and exited the game. The Rockets did not collapse without him.

Despite their interior prowess, the Mavericks managed only a two-point lead entering the second period. Harden returned to action in the second, avoided additional foul trouble, and posted 16 points plus six assists prior to intermission. Paul chipped in 13 first-half points as Houston offset the first-half double-double from Jordan (12 points, 10 rebounds) by drilling 9 of 25 from 3-point range. That the Rockets managed a 57-56 lead at the half while converting only two free throws underscored their perimeter shooting and persistence against the balanced Mavericks offence.

(With inputs from agencies.)