The Smoking Cuban
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Rockets Use Hot 3-point Shooting to Blast Past the Mavericks

By Dusty Bryan

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 11: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets takes a shot against Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 11, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 11: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets takes a shot against Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 11, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets were without James Harden in Dallas, but it did not matter. The Rockets got red hot from 3-point range in the second half and coasted to a blowout 105-82 win over the Dallas Mavericks. The win also marked Houston’s second straight series sweep of the Mavericks.

The game had the makings of being a competitive game from start to finish. The Mavericks led by a few points late in second period, but the Rockets made a run that allowed them to take a 48-47 lead into halftime.  At the start of the second half, the Houston Rockets never looked back. The Rockets connected on their first six 3-pointers of the second half and left the Dallas Mavericks in the dust.

Eric Gordon and Chris Paul did most of the heavy lifting in the absence of James Harden. Gordon scored 26 points to lead the Rockets, and Paul collected a double-double by scoring 24 points and dishing out 12 assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range.

The Mavericks by the numbers

The Dallas Mavericks managed to outrebound the Rockets 53 to 45. Also included in this total was a 17 to 6 advantage on the offensive glass. On most nights those numbers would translate to a victory. Unfortunately, poor shooting kept the Mavericks from capitalizing on that rebounding advantage.

As a team, the Mavericks shot just 35 percent from the field and an abysmal 16 percent from 3-point range. Dwight Powell led the Mavericks with 20 points, which is just one point shy of his career high in points. Joining Powell in double-digit scoring were Barnes, Nowitzki and Noel. They scored 14, 13, and 10 points respectively.

Next: Dallas Mavericks: NCAA Tournament Bracket Prospect Preview

The Mavericks will become road warriors in the upcoming home stretch of the season. 10 of the Dallas Mavericks 15 remaining games will be played outside of the friendly confines of the American Airlines Center. That trend will start when the Mavericks travel to New York to take on the Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.

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