Rockets rout Mavericks 128-110 behind Durant, Smith's 30 each

Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points each as the Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks 128-110 in their season opener on Wednesday, October 21.

Durant made 10 of 16 shots and grabbed six rebounds. Smith hit four 3-pointers. Houston (1-0) scored 32 points in the first quarter and 38 in the second, with a 10-0 run in each, and led 61-36 at one point.

The lead reached 37, at 86-49, with 6:28 left in the third quarter.

Alperen Sengun had 23 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Amen Thompson added 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Fred VanVleet handed out 11 assists without a turnover.

Dallas (0-1) led only early, by five in the first quarter, and scored 12 in the second. Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 32 points on 10-of-17 shooting, but he had four turnovers.

The Mavericks outscored Houston 38-30 in the third quarter and 34-28 in the fourth, yet never got within 17 late. Smith hit a 3-pointer with 1:55 left for a 125-105 lead, and Isaiah Crawford added another from 23 feet. Naji Marshall closed the scoring with a turnaround jumper at 42.3 seconds.

Houston won on the glass and with the ball. The Rockets had 18 offensive rebounds to Dallas's eight and 15 turnovers to the Mavericks' 21. They made 16 of 36 threes, 44.4 percent, against 11 of 38 for Dallas.

Up next

Mavericks: at the Indiana Pacers on Friday, October 23.

Rockets: at the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, October 23.