Wall scores 31, Rockets end skid with 102-93 win over Mavs

<p>HOUSTON &mdash; John Wall had 31 points and seven assists in his return from injury, and the Houston Rockets snapped a five-game skid with a 102-93 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. </p>
<p>Wall had missed the previous four games with swelling in his right knee. Christian Wood added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets.</p>
<p>The game was tied with about two minutes left before the Rockets scored the next seven points to take a 96-89 lead with a minute to go. Wall got things going in that stretch with a layup and a three-point play. Kevin Porter Jr. capped the run when he blocked a shot by Dorian Finney-Smith and finished on the other end with a two-handed dunk.</p>
<p>Kristaps Porzingis had 23 points and 12 rebounds in his return after missing Monday’s game with a sprained right wrist for the Mavericks, whose five-game winning streak ended. Luka Doncic added 23 points on 9-of-26 shooting, including 1 of 9 on 3-pointers.</p>
<p>The game was the last of the season between the in-state rivals. It was rescheduled from Feb. 19 because of utility problems after a rare Texas winter storm. Houston won the season series 2-1.</p>
<p>Houston led by 11 after three quarters, but the Mavericks used a 12-5 run, with seven points from Tim Hardaway Jr., to get within 80-76 with about eight minutes remaining.</p>
<p>A three-point play from Kelly Olynyk gave the Rockets an 89-84 advantage. But the Mavericks scored the next five points, highlighted by another 3 from Finney-Smith, to tie it about a minute later.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Mavericks: Maxi Kleber sat out with right leg soreness. … Trey Burke missed a second straight game with a strained left calf. … Hardaway had 18 points off the bench. </p>
<p>Rockets: Danuel House Jr. missed his second game with a sprained right ankle. … Porter had 14 points. … Olynyk had 10 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. </p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Mavericks: Play the first of three home games on Thursday night against Milwaukee. </p>
<p>Rockets: Begin a three-game trip on Friday night against the Clippers.</p>
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