National Basketball Association cross-state rivalry in Texas
This article's lead sectionmay be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(July 2024)
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024)
The rivalry between the Mavericks and the Rockets has developed over years of competition in the NBA's Western Conference. With both teams located in the state of Texas, the rivalry is fueled by regional pride and a desire for supremacy within the state. The two teams also share a rivalry with the third Texas team in the NBA: the San Antonio Spurs. In the Mavericks' inaugural season in 1980–81, the Rockets won all six meetings including a 116–68 win.[9] In the playoffs, the Mavericks defeated the Rockets in the 1988 and 2005 playoffs, the latter of which was plagued with allegations of game-fixing,[10] while the Rockets swept several season series with the Mavericks during the 1990s, and also during the Rockets' championship years. On April 11, 1995, the Mavericks defeated the Rockets 156–147 in double overtime, making that win one of their most memorable victories against Houston who were the reigning champions. Two years later, the Rockets and Mavericks have clashed in their first-ever regular season game played in Mexico City, which was won by the Rockets 108–106. In the 2010s, the rivalry has once again flourished with Dallas owner Mark Cuban and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey taking shots at each other on social media, as well as Houston fan-favorite Chandler Parsons signing an offer sheet to leave the Rockets to sign with the rival Mavericks for $46 million, while making negative statements about the city of Houston upon leaving,[11] causing massive backlash among Rockets fans. Finally, longtime Mavericks' player Jason Terry, who was a starter on the Mavericks' 2011 championship team, joined the Rockets for the 2014–15 season, and both teams met in the first round of the 2015 NBA playoffs, with the Rockets as the second seed and Mavericks the seventh seed, and the Rockets got the best of them 4–1.
Season-by-season results
Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Season-by-Season Results
Dallas Mavericks join the NBA as an expansion team and are placed in the Midwest Division. Houston Rockets move from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference and are placed in the Midwest Division alongside the Mavericks. On February 4, 1981, Rockets beat the Mavericks 116–68, their largest victory against the Mavericks with a 48-point differential. Rockets lose 1981 NBA Finals.
On April 11, 1995, at Houston, Mavericks beat the Rockets 156–147 in double overtime, their most points scored in a game against the Rockets and their most points scored in a game overall as a franchise. Rockets win 1995 NBA Finals.
Mavericks sweep the Rockets in the season series for the first time. Mavericks win the season series and finish with a winning record at home for the first time since the 1991 season. Last season Rockets played at Compaq Center (formerly known as The Summit).
2nd postseason series. Mavericks come back from 0–2 to win the series. In Game 7 at Dallas, Mavericks beat the Rockets 116–76, their largest victory against the Rockets with a 40-point differential.
Rockets win the season series and finish with a winning record at home against the Mavericks for the first time since the 1999 season. Rockets win the Southwest Division for the first time.
On July 31, 2020, Rockets beat the Mavericks 153–149 in overtime, their most points scored in a game against the Mavericks. Rockets win the Southwest Division.