Dallas scores 40 in the fourth quarter to win the Texas matchup
Kyrie Irving scored 35 points and Cooper Flagg added 33 as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 116–111 at American Airlines Center on October 30 in the United States, October 31 in the Philippines. The NBA Cup result handed Houston its first defeat after a 5–0 start.
Dallas trailed 84–76 entering the fourth quarter but outscored Houston 40–27 over the final 12 minutes. The Mavericks' strongest offensive period arrived when they needed to recover an eight-point deficit and then protect a late lead.
Irving shot 12-for-19, made five of eight three-point attempts and converted all six of his free throws. He also produced nine assists and four rebounds, adding distribution to the night's highest scoring total.
Flagg made 13 of 19 field-goal attempts and finished with nine rebounds and six assists. He scored all 33 of his points without making a three-pointer, going 0-for-4 from long range and finding his production inside the arc and at the foul line.
Daniel Gafford added 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Kevin Durant led Houston with 28 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22.
The different scoring profiles of Irving and Flagg gave Dallas two effective routes through the Rockets' defense. Together they supplied 68 points, with Irving's perimeter shooting complementing Flagg's two-point efficiency. That combination, backed by Gafford's finishing, helped the Mavericks turn a difficult third-quarter position into a home victory.