Rockets open NBA preseason in China with 135-117 win over Mavericks

Houston built a strong start and expanded the lead before halftime, getting key scoring from Tari Eason and a double-double-based impact performance from Alperen Şengün.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Houston Rockets opened their NBA preseason on Friday morning in China with a 135-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at The Venetian Arena in Macao. The early-stage setting offered both teams a familiar purpose, testing different lineups while still searching for chemistry and offensive rhythm before the regular season begins.

Houston established early control, jumping out to a 27-19 lead after the first quarter. That kind of start mattered in a preseason environment, when coaches typically use the opening stretch to look for pace, defensive communication, and early reads against another staff’s first rotation.

The Rockets carried that momentum into the second quarter and by halftime owned a 65-45 advantage. The 20-point cushion at the break put Dallas in a difficult position during a game where both teams often trade adjustments and ask players to handle varying responsibilities on short stints.

Tari Eason led Houston with 20 points, according to the game report. His scoring production was positioned as one of the Rockets’ consistent elements throughout the matchup, giving the team another option beyond its primary playmaking and frontcourt touches as the lead grew.

Alperen Şengün stood out in the contest as well. The report said he recorded a triple-double, totaling 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, a line that suggested he was impacting the game from multiple angles, both as a finisher near the basket and as a creator for teammates.

Dallas, meanwhile, stayed in the game in the higher scoring environment typical of preseason basketball, but the Rockets’ combination of early defensive intensity and sustained scoring pressure was enough to keep the Mavericks from turning the second half into a full reset.

Why It Matters

For Houston, the win provides an early look at lineup combinations in a game plan designed to build chemistry in real time rather than in practice.
The Rockets’ 20-point halftime lead suggests they were able to maintain defensive organization long enough to translate effort into separation, a key precursor to consistent offense.
Şengün’s all-around stat line points to continued emphasis on frontcourt playmaking as a foundation for the half-court attack.
Eason’s scoring role indicates the Rockets’ interest in having perimeter production that can carry stretches even as rotations rotate.

Sources

Key Facts

Houston defeated Dallas 135-117 in preseason action in Macao, China at The Venetian Arena.
The Rockets led 27-19 after one quarter.
Houston expanded its advantage to 65-45 by halftime.
Tari Eason scored 20 points for Houston.
Alperen Şengün recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.