Mavs Halftime Report - Mavs VS Rockets

[CRYSTAL]

By Crystal Carroll

Few words have the power to illustrate Mavs fans emotions, they are either at an all time high or an all time low, there is no middle ground as dallas fans are far from luke warm. Unfortunately as the Mavs slipped to a double digit disadvantage against the Rockets early on, spirits remained high while numbers continued to expand in favor of the Houston roster.

By the conclusion of 1 it was not crisis mode, Mavs trailed by 9 and were stepping up across the board as Dirk, Josh Howard and Jason Terry each held solid numbers with 5 each. The Houston game was coming from two players, each with double digits as Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks crossed into double-digit territory and made an impact on the game to turn 7 Dallas turnovers into big numbers for Houston.

Defense was there, don't get me wrong, but as Houston started to make their move they made it harder and harder for Dallas in the paint as the Mavs committed 7 fouls by the end of 1.

As the second began already the Mavs had an uphill battle, it seemed too familiar to Mavs fans, the playing catch up game which has plagued the Mavs before against Houston much of last season.

By the second the story was turning into one of those Mavs fans hate to see as the margin continued to expand between the box scores and Dallas was slipping. Through some substitutions they attempted to keep fresh faces on the hardwood to bring the game back into reach and as Dallas trailed by as many as 17 it was looking much like the dismal outcome of that Utah game before Dirk turned it from strictly Jazz to some hardcore Mavs at AAC.

While Dirk might have turned the dial with just over 5 minutes remaining in the quarter to change the momentum it was Erick Dampier who began taking control as he added a jumper, a pair of free throws and a alley oop dunk which put the AAC on it's feet.

With just under 2 minutes remaining in play, mavs trailed by 11, but Dirk was not finished with his reign of terror on the Rockets, instead coupled with a bucket by Marion he pounded down 6 more points to take a huge Houston lead and knock the wind out of any momentum they were looking to carry into the locker room as Dallas closed in to 57-61.

1st Quarter Notes:

• Houston bettered the field shooting with 63.6% but Mavs Shot 55.6% from the field, 66.7% from beyond the arc and were 6 for 6 from the charity stripe

• Erick Dampier led the way with 2 of the team's 3 blocks for the quarter

• Mavs had 0 steals to open the game however Houston managed 5 to kick off play

• Both teams had 6 assists and 6 rebounds

2nd Quarter Notes:

• Dallas slipped to 47.5% by the half from the field Houston led with 52.2% shooting due to their presence in the mid range shots and paint play

• Dallas stopped the turnovers which hurt them early on and picked up on their end of the floor despite trailing by the largest margin during the second. They concluded with 3 steals in the second.

• Dallas had 12 rebounds in the second including 3 offensive and 9 defensive with Dampier leading the way at the half with 6 rebounds

• At half Dirk has 14 while Dampier has 10 to lead Mavs. Aaron Brooks bettered his shooting and has 19 for Houston