The Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 on Friday at The Venetian Arena in Macao in the first of two NBA China Games. The Rockets led 65-45 at halftime and built a 25-point lead in a game that was never close after the break.
Cooper Flagg scored 19 points for Dallas, with 17 coming in a second-quarter flurry, before sitting the entire second half. The outing marked the first NBA game for new Mavericks head coach Dusty May.
The NBA's return to China marks a milestone for the league's international ambitions, with the games drawing a global spotlight and giving fans in Asia a rare live look at the league's newest star.
The teams meet again on Sunday for the second game of the Macao series, with Dallas looking to even the score and Houston aiming to complete the sweep.
