By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:18 GMT, 15 March 2025 | Updated: 02:18 GMT, 15 March 2025
HOUSTON (AP) - Tari Eason scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Houston Rockets to an easy 133-96 win over the Dallas Mavericks Friday night.
Jalen Green added 23 points with nine rebounds, despite sitting the entire fourth quarter to help the Rockets to their fifth straight win, tying their longest such streak of the season.
Houston led by double digits most of the night and was up by 16 in the third quarter before scoring the next seven points, with a 3 from Eason, to make it 80-57 midway through the quarter.
The Rockets were up by 21 later in the third before using a 10-0 run to push the lead to 96-65 near the end of the period, and most of their starters didn't play in the fourth.
Brandon Williams scored 25 points off the bench for the Mavericks as they lost for the seventh time in eight games. Klay Thompson was 2 of 16 for five points with nine rebounds.
Mavericks: Dallas continues to struggle with most of its top players out with injuries and lost another one Friday with Dante Exum leaving injuring his left hand in the first half.
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Houston, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Rockets: Houston has taken advantage of a schedule with six straight home games, going 4-0 so far on the homestand as it tries to climb the Western Conference standings.
Houston was in control of the game from the start but put it out of reach with its 37-point third quarter.
The Rockets had 29 second-chance points to just two by Dallas on a night Houston had a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds.
Houston hosts Chicago on Saturday night and Dallas hosts Philadelphia on Sunday.
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Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) defends against Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards (20) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) controls the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots against Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)