Rockets from the crypt

"What? Are you going to cry, baby? You gonna cry? Cry for me!"

I've said it a billion times and I'll say it again: I love it when the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets.

Partly due to the fact that I love the Mavericks and I hate the Rockets. Games against Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Antonio may be bigger games, but Rockets games are very satisfying.

And I think the Mavs showed a little something last night. For one, they can play a little D. Just allowing opponents to 37 percent shooting will win you a lot of games. A night after holding the Charlotte starters to 9-39 from the floor, they hold the Rockets starters to 23-56. That will, again, win you 99 percent of your games.

Also, maybe the Mavs are learning how to win. Two weeks ago, the Mavs lose that lead in the fourth quarter and another "L" goes on the schedule. Lately, the opposite has happened and now they're 5-7 with three straight road wins.

Somehow, the Mavs are 5-3 on the road and 0-4 at home.

Notes:
1. I liked what Shawne Williams did. Not a lot of good offense, but his defense at times was great against Ron Artest, the one guy that torced the Mavs two weeks ago. Yesterday, Artest went 5-14. Plus, Williams had 31 minutes and no turnovers. That will help you swallow a 1-7 shooting performance.

2. Over the last two years, it's hard to imagine how many losses this team incurs without Jason Terry. This is one of them.

3. When J.J. Barea gets minutes, the phrase "attempts a wild shot" is uttered at least twice.

4. James Singleton was a no-name signing in the off-season and now he's getting the start with Josh Howard out. He didn't do much to impress or unimpress last night. He's a long tall body and only 27 years old.

5. Another "DNP - Coach's Decision" for Antoine Wright.