Harden propels Rockets past Mavs in series opener
The Houston Rockets struck first in The Battle of Texas. Thanks to - as usual - dominant shooting beyond the arc, the Rockets, who hit 40 percent of their 3-point attempts (10-of-25), have a 1-0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks after a 118-108 win Saturday night.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well - the Mavericks finishing 44.4 percent from the floor, and the Rockets 44.7 percent. Both teams had seven players finish in double-digits in scoring, with Dirk Nowitzki and James Harden both finishing with 24 points.
Key takeaway is Dwight looked fantastic. Rondo was great for a quarter, still just kills their spacing. Had some success on PNRs w/ Dirk.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) April 19, 2015
Turning Point
There were a few:
1. The Mavericks shot 30 percent in the first quarter, and 35 percent in the third quarter. Head coach Rick Carlisle's been on his team about playing a full 48 minutes, and they again didn't in Game 1.
2. Dwight Howard played only 17 minutes due to foul trouble, but when he was on the floor, the Mavericks had no answer for him. Playoff Dwight scored 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting, adding five rebounds and five blocks - this one on Tyson Chandler was seriously impressive.
3. Corey Brewer scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, ensuring that the Mavericks - who shot 50 percent in the final frame - couldn't come back.
Star Performer
Harden paced the balanced Rockets' attack with 24 points, and while he struggled from the floor, hitting only 4-of-11 shots, he got to the free-throw line 17 times, converting 15, and finished a game-high +15. Harden ended up going to the stripe as many times as the Mavericks did as a team, and hit one more free throw than Dallas.
The Beard also set a playoff career-high with 11 assists, recording the second playoff double-double of his career, adding two rebounds and a steal.
James Harden: 1st Rockets player with 20 points, 10 assists in a playoff game since Tracy McGrady in May 2007 vs Jazz
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 19, 2015
Highlight Reel
Brewer was cooking in the fourth, and it's clear he doesn't spend as much time in the kitchen as Harden:
Rajon Rondo had a Jekyll-and-Hyde game, but was dominant in the second quarter, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the frame, and adding three assists, including this one, which Chandler finished with authority:
Series at a Glance
Game 1: Houston 118, Dallas 108
Game 2: Tuesday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3: Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 28, TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, April 30, TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 2, TBD
*If necessary