AP

Doncic, Mavs beat Rockets 116-106 in Kidd’s home debut

Oct 26, 2021, 8:16 AM | Updated: Oct 27, 2021, 10:08 am

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) welcomes fans back to a full capacity arena before the firs...

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) welcomes fans back to a full capacity arena before the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)


              Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) welcomes fans back to a full capacity arena before the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate (8) attempts a layup as Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. Dallas won 116-106. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts to a foul against his team during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. Dallas won 116-106. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate, left, and Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, right, vie for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. Dallas won 116-106. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Dallas Mavericks forward Boban Marjanovic (51) battles Houston Rockets forward Alperen Sengun (28) for space during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. Dallas won 116-106. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) battles Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) for space during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. Dallas won 116-106. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) battles Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (0) for space during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) attempts a shot as Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Houston Rockets forward Alperen Sengun (28) and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) vie for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
            
              Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) argues for a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 26 points and 14 rebounds, Reggie Bullock had his best game with his new team by scoring 16 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 116-106 in coach Jason Kidd’s first home game Tuesday night.

Kristaps Porzingis had another rough shooting night, starting 1 of 9 before finally making his 3-pointer and leaving a short time later. The oft-injured Porzingis didn’t return because of lower back tightness. He came into the game with a black eye.

Eric Gordon scored 16 points, and Christian Wood had 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Rockets, who lost Dallas’ home opener for the first time after winning the previous three times.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16 points, including the first bucket of the second half to start a 13-0 Dallas run for a 70-60 lead.

After the Porzingis 3 gave the Mavericks their biggest lead to that point at 73-62, the Rockets answered with a 10-0 run before Dallas posted up Doncic to end the run.

The 22-year-old star did most of his damage inside the arc, finishing 10 of 25 despite 1-of-6 shooting from 3. He had seven assists while his backup, Jalen Brunson, led Dallas with 11 assists and scored 11 points.

It was the first time since the end of the 2007-08 season for someone other than Rick Carlisle on the sideline in Dallas for the Mavericks. But it was a familiar face in Kidd, who was drafted No. 2 overall in 1994 before leaving in a trade, coming back in another deal and helping the franchise win its only championship with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way in 2011.

TIP-INS

Rockets: Kevin Porter Jr., who had 13 points and eight assists, was called for a technical foul in the fourth quartafter he didn’t a call on the offensive end when he was bumped twice by Jalen Brunson and eventually lost a turnover. Porter fouled Brunson on the other end, and was quickly given the tech. … Daniel Theis had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Mavericks: Maxi Kleber hit three consecutive first-half 3s for all of his nine points. … Boban Marjanovic, the 7-foot-4 fan favorite, scored 11 points on post-ups.

UP NEXT

Rockets: Utah visits Thursday. The 3-0 series sweep by the Jazz last season was their first since going 3-0 in 1998-99.

Mavericks: The other Texas rival, San Antonio, visits Thursday. The Spurs lost the series each of the past two seasons, but won the final game both times to avoid the first Dallas sweep.

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Doncic, Mavs beat Rockets 116-106 in Kidd’s home debut