Devin Harris scored 17 points, Al-Farouq Aminu set season highs with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and the balanced Dallas Mavericks held on to beat the Houston Rockets 111-100 Friday night.
Rajon Rondo scored 13 points in his second game back from a broken bone near his left eye as the Mavericks bounced back a night after a blowout loss at Oklahoma City in their return from the All-Star break.
James Harden scored 26 to lead the Rockets, who were playing for the first time in nine days and warmed up from 3-point range to cut a 20-point, fourth-quarter deficit to five before falling short.
Monta Ellis had a driving layup to start a game-clinching run and finished with 12 points after struggling for two games following a hip injury.
The Mavericks extended a franchise record by having eight players in double figures for the fourth time this season.
Chandler Parsons, playing his former team in Dallas for the first time in the regular season after losing to the Rockets twice in Houston, scored 13 points before leaving with a sprained left ankle.
Dirk Nowitzki had 12, and Tyson Chandler added 10 points and 14 rebounds.
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Charlie Villanueva made all three of his 3-pointers and finished with 13 points, including a couple of big baskets to help Dallas hold on.
With a big lead down to five, Aminu, who had his first double-double in Dallas, grabbed a loose ball and got a dunk after Villanueva stripped Harden following a defensive rebound. The Rockets were still within five when Ellis drove for a high-arching layup that started a 10-2 run.
Trevor Ariza hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 16 points, and Josh Smith had 15 for Houston. The NBA leaders in 3-pointers per game, the Rockets were shooting 29 percent from long range going into the fourth before getting hot and closing the gap.
Nowitzki spent some time in the locker room after injuring his right arm when he hacked Harden on a drive, but the 7-foot German came back. Harden, who was 6 of 14 from the field and had seven rebounds and five assists, came up holding his left arm but stayed in the game.
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TIP-INS
Rockets: C Dwight Howard made the trip even though he's still at least two weeks from returning. He's been out with swelling in his right knee. ... G Pablo Prigioni and G/F K.J. McDaniels passed their physicals in Houston and should be in uniform at home against Toronto on Saturday night. Both were obtained in deals at Thursday's trade deadline, Prigioni from the Knicks and McDaniels from the 76ers.
Mavericks: Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said Amare Stoudemire is working through conditioning issues and still expected to make his debut Sunday against Charlotte after missing two games. The 32-year-old signed after taking a buyout from the last-place Knicks.
UP NEXT
The Rockets host Toronto on Saturday to start five-game homestand, matching their longest of the season.
The Mavericks play at home against Charlotte on Sunday.
