Mavericks vs. Rockets Recap: Big Second Quarter Powers Houston 128-110

The Rockets beat the Mavericks 128-110, and the game was settled in the second quarter. Houston won that quarter 38-12 and went to halftime up 70-38. Dallas won the second half 72-58, but the hole was too deep. The Mavericks turned it over 21 times, while Houston shot 53 percent from the field, hit 16 of 36 from three and finished with 32 assists. Five DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Kevin Durant 30+ points + rebounds + assists (-213 DraftKings / -235 FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Durant had 30+ PRA in each of his last 10 games and 64 of 81 last season. He was not on the injury report, and Dallas had four players out. - What happened: Durant scored 30 on his own, adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists for 39 PRA in 37 minutes, 9.5 over the 29.5 line. He shot 10 of 16 and went 8 of 11 at the line. - Worth watching: When the points alone can clear a PRA number, the rebounds and assists are a cushion. That is the shape we like for this prop.

Jabari Smith Jr. 20+ points + rebounds + assists (-144 FanDuel / -160 DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Smith had 20+ PRA in each of his last 10, Dallas was without Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama up front, and the price was plus value for that hit rate. - What happened: Smith scored 30 on 11 of 17 shooting, 4 of 8 from three, with 5 rebounds and 1 assist. That is 36 PRA, 16.5 clear of the 19.5 line, and he was +18 in 36 minutes. - Worth watching: A starter at this price is worth checking nightly. A 30-point game is the top of his range, though, not the baseline.

Amen Thompson 25+ points + rebounds + assists (-352 DraftKings / -400 FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Thompson had 25+ PRA in each of his last 10 and 72 of 85 last season, and Dallas was down Lively, Aldama and Martin inside. - What happened: 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for 30 PRA, 5.5 over the 24.5 line. Houston grabbed 17 offensive rebounds as a team. - Worth watching: His rebounding carried this one. Against a thin frontcourt, the PRA number has more ways to get there than points alone.

Amen Thompson 15+ points (-229 DraftKings / -230 FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Thompson scored 15+ in each of his last 10 and 61 of 85 last season, with Dallas missing its rim protectors. - What happened: He scored 16 on 6 of 12 shooting and 3 of 5 at the line, 1.5 over the 14.5 line. - Worth watching: This one was close. With Durant, Smith and Alperen Sengun all scoring 23 or more, Thompson's shots have competition.

ALT: Over 217.5 total points (-330 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: The main total was 230.5, so this alt bought 13 points. These teams cleared 217.5 in 17 of their last 20 combined games. - What happened: The game finished with 238 points, 20.5 over the line. Even after a 12-point quarter from Dallas, the teams combined for 130 in the second half. - Worth watching: At -330 the price is steep, so this fits best as a leg rather than a standalone play.

How the game played out

Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 32 points on 10 of 17 shooting, 11 of 13 at the line and 3 steals. Sengun had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and was +23. Fred VanVleet ran the offense with 11 assists and no turnovers. Dallas went 11 of 37 from three.

Trends to watch

• Houston spread its shots: Smith took 17, Durant 16 and Sengun 15. Points props for all three depend on that split holding.
• The Rockets won the boards 42-33 with 17 offensive rebounds. That supports rebound and PRA looks for Thompson and Sengun against thin frontcourts.
• Flagg took 13 free throws. Trips to the line give his points prop a floor even on an off shooting night.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Learn more about player props and alt lines, or see today's NBA board.