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Keys to the Game

3. Sitting the Standouts

Entering this game, the Houston Rockets expected to have an advantage at point guard and center with Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik. Exiting the arena, Rockets fans may be wondering where those two were.

Asik played just 20 minutes while Lin saw 18.

Lin saw a total of six minutes in the first half, which came in spite of his connecting on his only shot attempt. With Toney Douglas emerging as the superior defender and more consistent shooter, however, Lin's minutes continue to dwindle.

As for Asik, his 2-of-7 shooting from the free throw line was too much for head coach Kevin McHale to condone.

2. Streaky Play

If there is one word to sum up the Dallas Mavericks' 116-109 victory over the Houston Rockets it is "streaky."

Dallas came out firing, putting up 39 points during the first quarter. During the second quarter, it was Houston that posted a monstrous 42 points, thus taking a 66-63 lead entering halftime.

The two sides continues to jack up shots but failed to score consistently during the third, as Houston outscored Dallas by a count of 23-21.

The final period of play was no different, as Dallas outscored Houston by a count of 32-20. Houston made just one three-pointer during that time after connecting on 11 through the first three.

Their shortcomings and O.J. Mayo's monstrous first and fourth quarters led Dallas to victory in this one.

1. James Harden vs. O.J. Mayo

Remember when I said that the one word to sum up this victory was "streaky?" What I meant to say was this.

The one phrase that sums up this game is "O.J. Mayo." Just don't sell James Harden short for his performance.

Harden finished the game with 39 points, nine assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block. He shot 10-of-17 from the floor, 4-of-7 from three-point range and 15-of-16 from the free throw line.

Unfortunately, Harden scored just nine second half points. Which is where he and Mayo differed.

After scoring 20 points during the first quarter, Mayo disappeared during the second and third. During the fourth period, however, Mayo put up 14 huge points.

He tied the game, gave Dallas the lead and sealed the victory virtually on his own. Just don't forget about what Vince Carter did with 12 key points.

What this game has done is begin the rivalry Texas is soon to embrace. Mayo and Harden are each elite scorers that placed their upside on full display tonight, with Mayo emerging as the better late-game performer.

For now.

Houston Rockets box score via NBA.com.

Dallas Mavericks box score via NBA.com.

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This one is in the books, folks.

O.J. Mayo leads the Dallas Mavericks with 40 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter. James Harden posts 39 of his own but was nowhere to be found for a majority of the second half, scoring 30 of those points in the first two quarters.

Mayo earned himself a lot of money tonight.

Dallas Mavericks 116, Houston Rockets 109 — End of the Game

Dallas Mavericks

O.J. Mayo: 40 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4/7 3PT
Chris Kaman: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 offensive rebounds
Vince Carter: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Darren Collison: 10 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Brandan Wright: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Derek Fisher: 7 points, 5 assists, 1 rebound

Houston Rockets

James Harden: 39 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Chandler Parsons: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Patrick Patterson: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Toney Douglas: 13 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Carlos Delfino: 10 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound
Jeremy Lin: 7 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Omer Asik: 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists

Carlos Delfino with a beautiful play to find Patrick Patterson. O.J. Mayo drives the lane and scores.

40 points for Mayo!

Defensive rebound by Dallas and this one is just about over. O.J. Mayo outshines James Harden and puts on a fourth quarter for the ages!

What a game.

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O.J. Mayo from three AGAIN! 38 points on six three-pointers! What a phenomenal performance by Mayo!

James Harden may have 39, but Mayo has 14 in the fourth quarter alone. What a game.

A timely block by Brandan Wright and the Dallas Mavericks are in control with 1:30 remaining.

O.J. Mayo takes it down the floor and drains a beautiful jump shot over Carlos Delfino. This man is clutch.

11 points in the fourth. 35 overall.

Toney Douglas with a three of his own to cut it to two!

James Harden takes it to the hole and draws the And-One.

As for O.J. Mayo, this is a season-high.

Mayo ties a season-high with a jumper to give him 32 pts. Mavs up 107-101 with 2:49 left.

— Earl K. Sneed (@EKS_MavsNBA) December 9, 2012

Harden hits the freebie. He has 39.

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James Harden flops and gets no love from the referees. O.J. Mayo punished him for the attempt by draining a three-pointer.

Mayo now has 33 points, including nine in the fourth quarter and five three-pointers.

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O.J. Mayo draws the questionable foul and converts both attempts. That's 30 points for him tonight.

Chandler Parsons can't get anything to fall. He misses an open three, hits the side of the backboard on a jump shot and then misses his first free throw.

Fortunately, the second one falls.

Dallas Mavericks 102, Houston Rockets 101 — 3:18 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Brandan Wright with a monster slam in traffic and the Dallas Mavericks have the lead! 15-2 run by the Mavs.

Dallas Mavericks 102, Houston Rockets 100 — 3:54 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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Vince Carter cuts it to two with a three-pointer but Chandler Parsons responds with a two-pointer. Darren Collison is fouled with a chance to cut it back to two points.

He converts both

Dallas Mavericks 98, Houston Rockets 100 — 5:17 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Vince Carter nails the fade-away jump shot over Patrick Patterson and the Mavericks are within five.

Carter has nine points tonight.

Dallas Mavericks 93, Houston Rockets 98 — 6:22 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

O.J. Mayo with four quick points and the Dallas Mavericks cut it to single-digits. Vince Carter headed to the line after a loose ball foul.

Dallas Mavericks 91 — Houston Rockets 98 — 6:29 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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Chandler Parsons from beyond the arc and the Houston Rockets take the 96-85 lead. Brandan Wright responds with two of his own.

Darren Collison misses a transition lay-up. Dallas then turns it over by attempting to save a miss by the Houston Rockets.

What is going on?

Jae Crowder misses two free throws and then misses a driving lay-up as well. Dallas is not executing when they need to.

Neither is Houston, but they're in the lead.

A late, late foul call on a Chandler Parsons drive.

Dallas Mavericks 84, Houston Rockets 91 — 11:24 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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Dallas Mavericks 84, Houston Rockets 89 — End of the Third Quarter

Dallas Mavericks

O.J. Mayo: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4/7 3PT
Chris Kaman: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 offensive rebounds
Darren Collison: 8 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Dahntay Jones: 8 points, 1 steal
Brandan Wright: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Derek Fisher: 5 points, 4 assists

Houston Rockets

James Harden: 35 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Chandler Parsons: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Patrick Patterson: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Toney Douglas: 10 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Carlos Delfino: 8 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound
Jeremy Lin: 7 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Omer Asik: 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists

Jae Crowder just got rejected on a put-back dunk... By the rim. Neither team is looking good on offense or defense.

That is, until Toney Douglas got that And-One off of a sweet find by Jeremy Lin.

Vince Carter responds with two.

Dallas Mavericks 79, Houston Rockets 87 — 58.6 remaining in the Third Quarter

The Dallas Mavericks appear to have lost cite of their gameplan on offense. Almost all long jump shots with no ball movement.

Houston isn't faring much better.

Dallas Mavericks 77, Houston Rockets 82 — 2:43 remaining in the Third Quarter

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Vince Carter connects on the long two and Dallas finally breaks a short scoreless patch. Patrick Patterson responds with a two of his own.

Just in case you forgot, Patterson was posterized by Dahntay Jones.

Dallas Mavericks 75, Houston Rockets 80 — 4:56 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Will provide video of Jones' dunk momentarily. Until then, here is how Twitter is reacting.

Dahntay Jones just obliterated Patrick Patterson. That was insane.

— Noam Schiller (@noamschiller) December 9, 2012

Chris Kaman drops in six quick points and then...

Dahntay Jones with the fierce slam over Patrick Patterson! How fierce? Patterson ended up on his back.

Posterization.

Dallas Mavericks 73, Houston Rockets 76 — 6:45 remaining in the Third Quarter