Houston Rockets Game 20 of 2015-16 Season vs Dallas Mavericks

Houston Rockets Game 20 of 2015-16  found H-Town facing inter division rivals the Dallas Mavericks.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 20 of 2015-16 versus the Dallas Mavericks.

Dec 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Therefore Houston hopes their free agent additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for  October 26th opening night versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 20 – Dallas Mavericks

Pregame Analysis:

Dec 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) defends against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In their second game versus the Mavericks the Rockets were looking to even the series following a loss to them early in the season.  To that end, the following is an excerpt from Anthony Nguyen’s pregame analysis:

Last time the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks met each other were on the second leg of a back to back in which Dallas was playing their fourth game in five nights and Houston playing their third in four.

In that meeting the Mavericks were without key starters Dirk Nowitzki and Wesley Matthews. Despite the absence of both players, Dallas was still able to run the tables in Houston with a 110-98 victory. That loss for Houston ultimately sparked the controversial rumors surrounding the firing of ex-head coach Kevin McHale.

This time around Houston visits a Dallas team that is fresh off two days of rest and an impressive overtime win in Portland where the Mavericks showed great resiliency against a feisty Blazers team. The Rockets are off one day of rest after an up lifting, come back win at home against a recuperating Pelicans team. Although changes have been made within the Houston coaching staff, the Mavericks are all too familiar with the team that sent them fishing with a first round exit in last year’s playoffs.

Nguyen’s full pregame analysis article can be viewed via this link.

Post Game Analysis:

Houston evened the season series with a crucial victory over the rested Mavericks.  Andre Cantalogo provided the post game player grades and report with a particularly noteworthy performance coming from James Harden.

To view the entire post game review and player grades visit this link

Stat Leaders:

As noted above James Harden was spectacular on this evening, especially relevant was his overall production as he scored 25 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 9 assists coming close to a triple- double. In addition Trevor Ariza posted a strong effort with 18 points, 6 rebounds an assist and four steals.

Most noteworthy for the Mavericks was Deron Williams who scored 22 points, dished 6 assists, while grabbing a rebound and snagged 2 steals.

NBA.com box score can be reviewed via this link.

Rockets Games vs Mavericks in 2016-17

• October 27th in Dallas as American Airlines Arena
• October 30th at home
• December 10th at home
• December 27th in Dallas as American Airlines Arena

Draft Picks and Free Agents

No team benefited more from Kevin Durant signing with the Warriors than the Mavericks. As a result Andrew Bogut was traded to clear salary cap and Harrison Barnes signed as a free agent. Furthermore youngsters Dwight Powell and Justin Anderson appear poised to take another step forward.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: N/A,

Round 2: A.J. Hammons (46)

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

Seth Curry

2-year $6M deal exits Sacramento

More from Space City Scoop

• Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley worth a look at No. 2 in NBA Draft
• Houston Rockets: Ranking the top-five 2021 NBA draft prospects 
• Houston Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate is the next Paul George
• Rockets: 4 questions regarding Sterling Brown’s horrific assault
• Why Armoni Brooks could be Rockets GM Rafael Stone’s biggest gem

Exiting Free Agents/traded: 

• Chandler Parsons 4-years, $94M from Grizzlies
• Zaza Pachulia 1-year $2.9M to Warriors
• Jeremy Evans (trade to Pacers)
• Raymond Felton joins Clippers on a reported 1-year minimum deal
• David Lee on 2-year $3.2M deal with Spurs
• JaVale McGee will attend Warriors training camp under a ‘make good’ 15 day contract

Re-upping:

• Deron Williams 1-year, $10M
• Dwight Powell  4-years, $37M
• Dirk Nowitzki (he’s a Mav for life) 2-year, $40M

Next: Rockets Game 19 of 2015-16

Next up Game 21 versus the Kings