Mavericks beat Rockets 132-115 as Marcus Smart scores 20 for Houston

Mavericks take the decision

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets 132-115 in a preseason game on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Venetian Arena in Macao, China. Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Houston, while Kyrie Irving scored 17 for Dallas. The Rockets were the designated home team at the neutral site. Attendance was 11,711.

Dallas builds its lead

The Mavericks held a 28-27 advantage after the first quarter. Houston stayed close early, with Smart, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard among the Rockets' scorers. Dallas answered through Irving, P.J. Washington, Cooper Flagg and Max Christie.

Dallas expanded the margin in the second quarter, outscoring Houston 30-24 to take a 58-51 lead into halftime. Daniel Gafford scored during the Mavericks' push, while Washington and Irving also added points. Smart and Sheppard helped Houston remain within striking distance before the break.

Rockets make a run, Mavericks respond

Houston briefly moved in front during the third quarter. Amen Thompson's 3-pointer made the score 66-64 in the Rockets' favor, but Dallas regained control before the period ended. The Mavericks scored 37 points in the quarter and led 95-85 after three.

Dallas then scored the first two points of the fourth quarter on Naji Marshall free throws. Houston's Bruce Thornton, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Oscar Tshiebwe contributed during the period, but the Mavericks continued to add to their advantage. Dallas scored 37 more points in the fourth, finishing with a 132-115 victory.

By the numbers

Thompson finished with six assists for Houston, and Smith recorded nine rebounds. For Dallas, Cooper Flagg had seven assists and Sergio de Larrea collected seven rebounds. Both teams are 1-1 in the preseason.

Sources

ESPN