Josh Smith's stellar 4th leads Rockets over Mavs, 111-99

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Josh Smith carved up the Dallas Mavericks' defense in the fourth quarter with seven sensational assists which helped the Rockets pull away from the Mavs and win Game 2 of their first round playoff match-up 111-99. With the win, the Rockets lead the best-of-7 series 2 games to 0.

Five of the seven assists in the fourth period led to dunks: 4 by Dwight Howard and 1 by Corey Brewer.

Smith finished the game with 9 assists to tie his playoff-career high.

The Rockets led 81-80 after three quarters; and, in fact, the Rockets trailed the Mavs 84-81 with 11:09 left in the fourth quarter.

Howard split two free throws (he made 8 of 11 foul shots in the game); but, Smith rebounded the second missed free throw and lobbed to Howard for a dunk which tied the game at 84.

After Corey Brewer scored a fast-break lay-up the, Smith continued his lob-fest with Howard.

The Mavs had no answer for the Smith-Howard dynamic duo.

"He (Josh Smith) got his guys involved and made great passes, great reads; and, Dwight had a field day out there," said Amar'e Stoudemire.

"We just saw something - a little wrinkle in their defense; and, we just tried to take advantage of it," Josh Smith said after the game.

"We were looking for a group to get some continuity," Kevin McHale said. "And, it was a funky game; and, it seemed like we just couldn't catch our flow. The fourth quarter group got in there and did a tremendous job."

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