The Rockets lost 116-111 in Dallas in their Emirates NBA Cup opener, their first loss after a 5-0 start, as the Mavericks won the fourth quarter 40-27. Kevin Durant scored 28 and finished +8, but Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg combined for 68 points on 25-of-38 shooting.
Oct. 30, first half
Dallas took the first quarter 27-20, and Ime Udoka called a timeout with five seconds left after a 6-0 run against. Houston answered by winning the second 31-17. That included an 8-0 burst from 36-38 to 44-38 that forced a Dallas timeout. The Rockets led 51-44 at the half with Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard both sidelined by back issues.
Oct. 30, third quarter
Houston edged the third 33-32 and carried an 84-76 lead into the fourth. Jabari Smith Jr. was the most efficient scorer, with 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting, 3-of-7 from deep and 5-of-5 at the line. Grade: B, docked for his -9. Tari Eason added 11 points and 13 boards off the bench but shot 4-of-12. Grade: B-. The bench scored 25 to the starters' 86.
Oct. 30, fourth quarter
Dallas flipped an eight-point deficit in five minutes, and a 6-0 run left Houston behind 88-91 at 6:59. Udoka closed with Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, Durant, Eason and Clint Capela, then later swapped in Smith for Capela. Durant scored 11 in the period and VanVleet 7. Irving answered with 16, Flagg 11 and Daniel Gafford 8. Durant's line: 28 points, 9-of-20, 9-of-13 free throws, a team-best +8. Grade: B+.
Oct. 30, final three seconds
Thompson made the first of two free throws to cut it to 111-113, but a lane violation and a miss on the second ended the chance to tie. Marcus Smart's away-from-play foul gave Flagg a free throw, and VanVleet's foul sent Irving to the line for two. Thompson had 15 points, 6 assists, 4 steals and no turnovers over 40 minutes, but shot 1-of-4 at the line and finished a team-worst -10. Grade: C+.
Oct. 31
At 5-1, Houston slipped from first to second in the West and sits three games clear of 11th, with Dallas sixth at 4-2. The Thunder arrive at 4-1 without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber. Sengun and Sheppard were both upgraded from out and are targeted for tonight. Steven Adams (calf) is targeted for Nov. 2. Houston has played four games in the previous seven days.
How did the Rockets lose to the Mavericks in the NBA Cup?
Houston led 84-76 after three quarters, but Dallas won the fourth 40-27 behind 16 points from Kyrie Irving and 11 from Cooper Flagg. The final was 116-111.
Will Alperen Sengun play against the Thunder?
Sengun was upgraded from out with a back issue and is targeted to return Oct. 31 against Oklahoma City. Reed Sheppard has the same status.
