Rockets Shoot Down Mavericks

February 11, 1999 / 11:36 PM EST / AP

Houston has discovered another weapon to go along with its baseline bruisers.

Rookie Michael Dickerson scored 21 points, including a game-sealing 3-pointer with 2:04 left, as the Rockets downed Dallas for the 10th consecutive time with a 105-95 victory Thursday night.

Dickerson, a first-round draft pick from Arizona, came into the game averaging just four points. His 3-pointer gave Houston a 97-88 lead and Dallas couldn't recover.

Dickerson shot 8-of-13 as he surprised Dallas with his outside shooting ability.

"Dickerson made some big shots for us," said coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "He's a very good shooter."

Charles Barkley had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets, Scottie Pippen scored 16 with nine rebounds, Othella Harrington had 13 and Stanley Roberts 10.

"We played really good defense," Barkley said. "We haven't given up 100 points this year. That's great. We have to keep building on it."

Pippen agreed.

"Our team defense stepped up and helped us to this win," Pippen said. "We do a good job getting back in transition defense. You credit this win to our tough defense."

Hakeem Olajuwon scored eight points and had six boards.

It was Houston's fourth consecutive win after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the opener.

Robert Pack scored 31 points for Dallas, Michael Finley had 15 and Shawn Bradley and Cedric Ceballos scored 10 each.

"We weren't sharp again in the fourth quarter and good teams make you pay the price," said Dallas coach Don Nelson.

Pack said Dallas turned the ball over too many times when it counted.

"We didn't take care of the basketball and it hurt us," Pack said. "We had our chances to beat a good team but couldn't pull it off. I thought we would have enough energy to outlast a veteran team but that wasn't the case tonight."

Dallas fought back from an 11-point deficit to take an 84-83 lead with 9:40 to go on a bucket by Samaki Walker, but six straight points by Barkley put Houston ahead 89-86 with 6:40 left.

Rookie Cuttino Mobley, a second-round pick from Rhode Island, hit a shot from beyond the midcourt line at the buzzer to give the Rockets a 58-54 halftime lead. Mobley took a pass from Barkley after Finley had hit two free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining.

Notes: The Mavericks' last win in the series was a 117-114 decision in Reunion Arena on March 27, 1996. ... Dallas guard Steve Nash suffered a broken nose when he caught a flying elbow in the first minute of the game. He returned in the second quarter. ... Houston guard Matt Maloney was out again with a separated shoulder and Brent Price started in his place. ... Houston hit 10 of 17 3-point shots.