Game ID: 22500356
Houston Rockets @ Dallas Mavericks
Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM ET
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DAL 29 28 37 28 122HOU 26 31 20 32 109
DAL vs HOU ScoutingDAL vs HOU Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DAL availability going into 11/29 · back-to-backBACK Davis back 11/28 after 13, 28 min since (90% of 31)
BACK Nembhard back 11/24 after 8, 20 min since (103% of 20)
BACK Russell back 11/24 after 2, 10 min since (53% of 19)
BACK Powell back 11/22 after 2, 5 min since (34% of 14)
DAL availability going into 12/01 · 1 day's restOUT Russell missed 2 since 11/28, returns tonight: 18 min (97% of 19)
BACK Davis back 11/28 after 13, 28 min since (90% of 31)
BACK Nembhard back 11/24 after 8, 20 min since (104% of 20)
BACK Powell back 11/22 after 2, 12 min since (84% of 14)
DAL availability going into 12/03 · 1 day's restOUT Washington missed 2 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Gafford missed 2 since 11/29, returns tonight: 14 min (65% of 22)
BACK Davis back 11/28 after 13, 30 min since (97% of 31)
BACK Nembhard back 11/24 after 8, 24 min since (123% of 20)
BACK Russell back 11/24 after 2, 14 min since (75% of 19)
BACK Powell back 11/22 after 2, 13 min since (89% of 14)
DAL availability going into 12/05 · 1 day's restOUT Washington missed 3 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Cisse missed 2 since 12/01, returns tonight: 8 min (55% of 14)
OUT Hardy missed 2 since 12/01, returns tonight: 20 min (162% of 13)
BACK Davis back 11/28 after 13, 30 min since (95% of 31)
BACK Gafford back 12/03 after 2, 14 min since (65% of 22)
BACK Nembhard back 11/24 after 8, 26 min since (133% of 20)
BACK Russell back 11/24 after 2, 14 min since (77% of 19)
DAL availability going into 12/06 · back-to-backOUT Washington missed 4 since 11/29, returns tonight: 36 min (118% of 31)
BACK Davis back 11/28 after 13, 28 min since (90% of 31)
BACK Gafford back 12/03 after 2, 14 min since (65% of 22)
BACK Russell back 12/01 after 2, 16 min since (88% of 19)
BACK Cisse back 12/05 after 2, 8 min since (55% of 14)
BACK Hardy back 12/05 after 2, 20 min since (162% of 13)
NEW Nembhard 20 to 27 min over the last 5
DAL availability going into 12/12 · 5 days' restOUT Gafford missed 2 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Washington back 12/06 after 4, 36 min since (118% of 31)
BACK Russell back 12/01 after 2, 15 min since (83% of 19)
BACK Cisse back 12/05 after 2, 5 min since (33% of 14)
BACK Hardy back 12/05 after 2, 14 min since (108% of 13)
NEW Nembhard 20 to 27 min over the last 5
DAL availability going into 12/15 · 2 days' restOUT Gafford missed 3 since 12/05, returns tonight: 13 min (59% of 22)
BACK Washington back 12/06 after 4, 30 min since (99% of 31)
BACK Russell back 12/01 after 2, 15 min since (83% of 19)
BACK Cisse back 12/05 after 2, 5 min since (33% of 14)
BACK Hardy back 12/05 after 2, 14 min since (108% of 13)
NEW Nembhard 20 to 27 min over the last 5
DAL availability going into 12/18 · 2 days' restOUT Russell missed 2 since 12/12, returns tonight: 11 min (58% of 19)
OUT Martin missed 2 since 12/12, out tonight
BACK Washington back 12/06 after 4, 33 min since (108% of 31)
BACK Gafford back 12/03 after 2, 14 min since (62% of 22)
BACK Cisse back 12/05 after 2, 8 min since (54% of 14)
BACK Hardy back 12/05 after 2, 13 min since (99% of 13)
NEW Nembhard 20 to 28 min over the last 5
DAL availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Martin missed 3 since 12/12, out tonight
BACK Washington back 12/06 after 4, 34 min since (111% of 31)
BACK Gafford back 12/15 after 3, 14 min since (65% of 22)
BACK Russell back 12/18 after 2, 11 min since (58% of 19)
BACK Cisse back 12/05 after 2, 8 min since (54% of 14)
BACK Hardy back 12/05 after 2, 13 min since (99% of 13)
NEW Nembhard 20 to 26 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 11/30 · 3 days' restOUT Durant missed 2 since 11/24, returns tonight: 30 min (82% of 36)
OUT Eason missed 5 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 16 since 10/21, out tonight
NEW Holiday 14 to 21 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/01 · back-to-backOUT Eason missed 6 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 17 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Durant back 11/30 after 2, 30 min since (82% of 36)
NEW Holiday 14 to 22 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/03 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 7 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 18 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Durant back 11/30 after 2, 35 min since (96% of 36)
NEW Holiday 14 to 25 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/05 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 8 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 19 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Durant back 11/30 after 2, 34 min since (93% of 36)
NEW Holiday 14 to 25 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/06 · back-to-backOUT Eason missed 9 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 20 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Durant back 11/30 after 2, 34 min since (92% of 36)
NEW Holiday 14 to 26 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/11 · 4 days' restOUT Sengun missed 2 since 12/05, returns tonight: 36 min (107% of 34)
OUT Eason missed 10 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 21 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Durant back 11/30 after 2, 33 min since (91% of 36)
NEW Holiday 14 to 25 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/15 · 3 days' restOUT Eason missed 11 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 22 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Sengun back 12/11 after 2, 36 min since (107% of 34)
NEW Holiday 14 to 25 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/18 · 2 days' restOUT Eason missed 12 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 23 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Sengun back 12/11 after 2, 39 min since (116% of 34)
NEW Okogie 17 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Holiday 14 to 20 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Eason missed 13 since 11/16, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 24 since 10/21, out tonight
BACK Sengun back 12/11 after 2, 38 min since (113% of 34)
NEW Okogie 17 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Holiday 14 to 19 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; Flagg at 22 and Marshall at 16 a game. Without Washington (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Sengun at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Eason (9 straight), Finney-Smith (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-11 a night and Dallas minus-1 and the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to Dallas's 120. Call it Houston 118, Dallas 113.
11/29 @ LAC 114-110 — DAL notes
DAL won 114-110. DAL shot 44% (40 of 90) to LAC's 46%, 11 of 39 from three. DAL turned it over 8 times to LAC's 18. Flagg led with 35 (13 of 22, 0 of 3 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Thompson added 23, Marshall 18. The hinge was Q3, 34-27: DAL came in trailing by 7 and left it level. DAL trailed 49-56 at the half and won the second half 65-54. Williams was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/01 @ DEN 131-121 — DAL notes
DAL won 131-121. DAL shot 56% (53 of 95) to DEN's 47%, 16 of 31 from three. Davis led with 32 (13 of 23, 2 of 4 from three); Nembhard added 28, Flagg 24. The hinge was Q2, 42-27: DAL came in trailing by 14 and left it ahead by 1. Flagg was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
12/03 vs MIA 118-108 — DAL notes
DAL won 118-108. DAL shot 51% (46 of 91) to MIA's 40%, 16 of 32 from three, and got to the line 12 times to MIA's 18. Flagg led with 22 (9 of 13); Marshall added 18, Davis 17. The hinge was Q2, 36-21: DAL came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 10, and the lead reached 17. Christie was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
12/05 @ OKC 111-132 — DAL notes
DAL lost 111-132. DAL shot 48% (41 of 86) to OKC's 56%, 16 of 37 from three, and got to the line 20 times to OKC's 28. DAL turned it over 11 times to OKC's 6. Hardy led with 23 (8 of 13, 5 of 9 from three); Marshall added 18, Flagg 16. Q4 was theirs, 37-28, the deficit cut from 30 to 21, but the other 3 periods went 104-74 against them. Marshall's -24 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/06 vs HOU 122-109 — DAL notes
DAL won 122-109. DAL shot 60% (49 of 82) to HOU's 51%, 7 of 19 from three, and went to the line 20 times to HOU's 13 — 17 points from the stripe to their 11. DAL turned it over 12 times to HOU's 18. Davis led with 29 (14 of 19); Williams added 20, Flagg 19. The hinge was Q3, 37-20: from level to 17 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Washington was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
12/12 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 19 free throws a game; Flagg at 23 and Davis at 20 a game. Without Gafford (2 straight). 5 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 34 and Clowney at 17 a game. Without Thomas (15 straight), Traore (9 straight). 5 days' rest.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 16 times a game to Dallas's 10 and the arc, Dallas at 42 percent from three to Brooklyn's 37. Call it Dallas 116, Brooklyn 112, Brooklyn keeping it close.
12/15 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 128, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Markkanen at 26 and George at 24 a game. Without Kessler (19 straight), Harkless (10 straight), Anderson (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 116, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 18 free throws a game; Davis at 21 and Flagg at 21 a game. Without Gafford (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Utah takes 27 free throws a game to Dallas's 18 and the defense, Dallas allowing 116 a night to Utah's 128. Call it Dallas 120, Utah 119, Utah keeping it close.
12/18 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Flagg at 24 and Davis at 18 a game. Without Russell (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Detroit comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 31 free throws a game; Cunningham at 23 and Harris at 13 a game. That is 4 straight wins. 2 days' rest.
So: Detroit wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Detroit takes 31 free throws a game to Dallas's 23 and the defense, Detroit allowing 112 a night to Dallas's 120. Call it Detroit 118, Dallas 116, Dallas keeping it close.
12/20 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 41 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Embiid at 26 and Maxey at 23 a game. Without Oubre Jr. (14 straight), Watford (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 121, shooting 50 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Flagg at 24 and Davis at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 109 a night to Dallas's 121 and the arc, Philadelphia at 38 percent from three to Dallas's 34. Call it Philadelphia 118, Dallas 114, Dallas keeping it close.
11/30 @ UTA 129-101 — HOU notes
HOU won 129-101. HOU shot 53% (46 of 87) to UTA's 44%, 11 of 31 from three, and went to the line 33 times to UTA's 15 — 26 points from the stripe to their 14. The glass went 50-33 for them. Sengun led with 27 (10 of 15, 7 of 9 at the line); Durant added 25, Smith Jr. 15. The hinge was Q3, 31-20: a lead of 19 became 30, and the lead reached 37. Sheppard was the night's best plus/minus at +33.
12/01 @ UTA 125-133 — HOU notes
HOU lost 125-133. HOU shot 44% (41 of 93) to UTA's 50%, 10 of 34 from three. Durant led with 32 (10 of 25, 2 of 7 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Sengun added 31, Thompson 23. Q3 was theirs, 32-30, the deficit cut from 11 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 103-93 against them. Okogie's -15 in 9 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/03 vs SAC 121-95 — HOU notes
HOU won 121-95. HOU shot 53% (48 of 91) to SAC's 41%, 5 of 16 from three, and went to the line 24 times to SAC's 10 — 20 points from the stripe to their 5. The glass went 62-32 for them. Sengun led with 28 (11 of 20, 6 of 7 at the line); Durant added 24, Thompson 20. The hinge was Q3, 36-19: HOU came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 16, and the lead reached 26. HOU trailed 51-52 at the half and won the second half 70-43. Smith Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
12/05 vs PHX 117-98 — HOU notes
HOU won 117-98. HOU shot 59% (45 of 76) to PHX's 39%, 10 of 18 from three. HOU turned it over 21 times to PHX's 13, and PHX turned those into 12 steals. Thompson led with 31 (12 of 17, 6 of 6 at the line); Durant added 28, Smith Jr. 16. The hinge was Q2, 44-27: HOU came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 10, and the lead reached 30. Thompson was the night's best plus/minus at +33.
12/06 @ DAL 109-122 — HOU notes
HOU lost 109-122. HOU shot 51% (44 of 87) to DAL's 60%, 10 of 29 from three, and got to the line 13 times to DAL's 20. HOU turned it over 18 times to DAL's 12, and DAL turned those into 13 steals. Durant led with 27 (11 of 20, 1 of 3 from three); Smith Jr. added 22, Holiday 19. Q4 was theirs, 32-28, the deficit cut from 17 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 94-77 against them. Thompson's -14 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/11 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 52 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sengun at 29 and Durant at 27 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Sengun (2 straight), Eason (10 straight), Finney-Smith (21 straight). 4 days' rest. The Clippers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 26 free throws a game; Leonard at 26 and Harden at 24 a game. Without Jones Jr. (11 straight), Miller (3 straight). 4 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-11 a night and the Clippers plus-3 and the arc, Houston at 36 percent from three to the Clippers' 31. Call it Houston 119, the Clippers 109, Houston by 10.
12/15 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 119, shooting 54 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 26 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Braun (13 straight), Gordon (9 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sengun at 27 and Durant at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Eason (11 straight), Finney-Smith (22 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Denver minus-1 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 17 times a game to Denver's 10. Call it Denver 120, Houston 116, Houston keeping it close.
12/18 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 49 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 24 and Bey at 16 a game. Without Jordan (23 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 111, shooting 52 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sengun at 28 and Durant at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. Without Eason (12 straight), Finney-Smith (23 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-15 a night and New Orleans plus-0 and the arc, Houston at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 30. Call it Houston 119, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/20 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 117, shooting 54 percent and 42 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Murray at 27 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Braun (15 straight), Gordon (11 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sengun at 28 and Durant at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Without Eason (13 straight), Finney-Smith (24 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Denver minus-4 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 18 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Denver 122, Houston 116.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DALAD A. Davis
BW B. Williams
CF C. Flagg
DP D. Powell
DR D. Russell
JH J. Hardy
MC M. Christie
MC M. Cisse
NM N. Marshall
PW P. Washington
RN R. Nembhard
HOUAH A. Holiday
AT A. Thompson
CC C. Capela
IC I. Crawford
JD J. Davison
JG J. Green
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
KD K. Durant
RS R. Sheppard
DAL/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Anthony Davis bounces back from rough game with 29 points as Mavs beat Rockets 122-109
DALLAS -- — Anthony Davis scored 29 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 122-109 on Saturday night to finish a back-to-back coming off a blowout loss at defending champion Oklahoma City.
Davis went 14 of 19 from the field a night after making just one of nine shots and scoring two points in 24 minutes in a 132-111 loss to the Thunder . It was fewest points of the 10-time All-Star's career when playing at least 20 minutes.
Kevin Durant scored 20 of his 27 points in the first half but ended up not playing in the fourth quarter after the Mavericks outscored Houston 37-20 in the third and took a 21-point lead early in the fourth. The game was tied at halftime.
Cooper Flagg had 19 points, and one of his three assists came on a nifty transition bounce pass to Ryan Nembhard for a 98-77 lead. Brandon Williams scored 20 points as the backup point guard to Nembhard, the rookie who had 11 points and seven assists in his sixth consecutive start, the first of his career.
P.J. Washington , who missed the previous four games after injuring his right ankle by landing on a loose ball during pregame warmups at the Los Angeles Clippers, had consecutive dunks during a 14-0 run in the third quarter and finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
Naji Marshall beat the third-quarter buzzer with his only 3-pointer and scored 15 points.
Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Aaron Holiday added 19 for the Rockets, who were without forward Alperen Sengun on both nights of a back-to-back due to an illness.
Davis was 6 of 7 in the third quarter, when the Mavericks shot 73% (16 of 22).
Up next Rockets: The Clippers at home on Thursday.