Rockets come-from-ahead and lose to Mavs, 116-109

Posted: December 8, 2012 -- 11:31 p.m. CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) – The Houston Rockets started slowly (again); played great for two plus quarters; then, collapsed in the fourth quarter as the Rockets lost to the Dallas Mavericks 116-109 Saturday night in front of an announced crowd of 15,726 fans.

The Mavericks (10-10) led by as many as 19 points in the first quarter. The Mavs shot a blistering 68.2% (15 for 22) from the floor and led the Rockets 39-24 at the end of the first period.

After the game, Rockets guard James Harden said, “I don't know what it is (of the slow starts). It's kind of been a problem for us having to climb back into games. Sometimes we do it but we can't do that all the time because there are going to be nights like this where we wear ourselves out. In the fourth quarter, teams make shots on us. We have to do a better job, especially the first unit of coming out strong.”

James Harden scored 11 points in the first quarter; but, The Beard erupted for 19 points in the second quarter on perfect shooting -- 6 for 6 field goals (2 for 2, threes) and 5 for 5 free throws.

The Rockets (9-10) outscored the Mavs 42-24 in the second quarter and owned a 66-63 lead at halftime.

Jeremy Lin nailed a three-point shot early in the third quarter; and, Omer Asik scored a layup to put the Rockets up 76-67 with 8:26 remaining in the third period.

The Rockets kept the Mavericks at short arms' length the rest of the quarter and led 89-84 heading into the fourth period.

Chandler Parsons nailed a three-point shot during a 7-1 Rockets' run to boost the lead to 96-85 at the 9:25 mark of the fourth period; however, the Mavericks erupted for a 17-4 run to go ahead 102-100 with 4:18 on the game clock.

The Rockets never led the rest of the game.

O.J. Mayo scored 12 consecutive points for the Mavs during the final four minutes. Each time the Rockets pulled within two or three points, Mayo answered with a big basket.

The final straw occurred with 21.2 seconds remaining. Rockets forward Patrick Patterson made a three-point shot to cut the Mavs' lead to 112-109 with 27.6 seconds left. Instead of fouling, the Rockets watched Mayo dribble up the court; split the disappearing Rockets' defense; and score a layup for a 114-109 lead.

Mayo scored 16 of his game-high 40 points in the final period.

After scoring 30 points in the first half, James Harden finished the game with a team-high 39 points.

Jeremy Lin said, “I just think that coming out of the gate we as a collective unit, as a starting unit, we don't have the energy that we need to have. We don't have that nastiness, that attitude.”

Lin scored seven points; dished three assists and picked up two rebounds and two steals in 18 minutes.

The Rockets host the San Antonio Spurs Monday night. Tip is set for 7 pm.

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