Rockets at Mavericks
THE STORY: The Houston Rockets nearly knocked off the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday and moved up to fourth place in the Western Conference. Instead, they suffered a 101-99 overtime loss and remained in eighth, right in the middle of the scrum of teams in the West. They will get another shot at the Mavericks in Dallas on Tuesday. Houston is far less accomplished on the road, owning an 8-16 record.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Houston (Rockets), FS Southwest (Mavericks)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (27-23): In the pile-up that is the Western Conference, Houston is tied with three teams occupying spots seven through nine, one game behind fifth-place Dallas and 1½ back of the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets struggled down the stretch against the Mavericks on Saturday but did not have that problem Monday, overcoming an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime and beat the Sacramento Kings 113-106. Goran Dragic continues to play well in relief of Kyle Lowry (bacterial infection) and took over down the stretch Monday. Dragic went for 24 points and eight assists Saturday.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (28-22): Dallas has not played since Saturday, which was the final stop in a stretch of three games in four nights. Dirk Nowitzki sustained a cut above his right eye that required four stitches during overtime but returned and drained two free throws with 18 seconds left to put the game away. He finished with 31 points and seven rebounds. The Mavericks had dropped their previous two games and are in the midst of the roughest part of their schedule. After hosting the Rockets, Dallas travels to Miami and Orlando before coming back to play the Clippers and Memphis over the next eight days.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Mavericks have taken five straight in the series.
2. Dallas blocked 15 shots Saturday.
3. Houston signed veteran point guard Earl Boykins to a 10-day contract to back up Dragic. Boykins played 22 minutes in his debut on Monday, scoring 10 points.