The Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 108-102 in a huge win.

The Rockets had their best first half of the season, starting the game 16-9 before a timeout was called.

Houston did a good job of containing Luka Doncic in the first half thanks to Amen Thompson. The second-year guard played phenomenal defense against Doncic, missing the first three shots he attempted on him.

Dillon Brooks also stood out in the first half. He had 11 points and was strong on defense. The Rockets secured their double-digit lead with a three-pointer from Brooks.

Tari Eason’s presence on the bench was also felt in the first half. He had 10 points and three rebounds on 4-of-5 shooting. Cam Whitmore hit his first three-pointer of the season on a deficit against Daniel Gafford, giving Houston a 14-point lead early in the second period.

In a crucial moment of the first half, Udoka took advantage of his challenge to call a defensive shooting foul on Alperen Sengun, who tried and failed to block Jaden Hary’s layup. The challenge was successful and the call was changed to an offensive foul on Hardy.

The rebounds were also huge for the Rockets. They finished the first half outscored 24 to 16 by Dallas.

At the start of the second half, Doncic got into trouble with four fouls after a foul on Alperen Sengun. The Mavericks alternated between Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall and Dwight Powell. Gafford and Dereck Lively II also had foul trouble.

Eason accepted the challenge of guarding Thompson and the Rockets went on a 14-5 run.

Dallas started the fourth quarter hot with a three-pointer from Irving and a subsequent fastbreak layup from Doncic. They cut the lead from 23 points to 11 and Udoka called a timeout.

The Mavericks got within four with a 10-2 run, giving them the momentum they needed in the building.

After a timeout late in the fourth quarter, with the score at 98-94, Udoka subbed in for Thompson and Eason. It immediately led to a clutch block from Eason, which led to a layup from Green.

Green hit a three-pointer to give the Rockets a two-point lead after Doncic hit a three-pointer. Doncic then hit a three-pointer immediately afterwards.

Thompson hit a clutch fadeaway bucket to give Houston a five-point lead with 40.0 seconds left, followed by a fadeaway from Brooks with 17.9 seconds left.

Green set the franchise record for most three-pointers in the first five games of a season with 22.

The Rockets face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The meeting point is set for 7:00 p.m. CST.

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