After trailing by as many as 23 points, the Dallas Mavericks saved their best for last. It just wasn’t enough.

The Mavericks nearly overcame a tightly run game, along with a slow offensive start. However, Jalen Green had other plans.

With the shot clock winding down, Green hit a three-point heave over Luka Doncic to give the Houston Rockets enough distance to leave Dallas with a 108-102 loss at American Airlines Center. Doncic countered with another 3-pointer of his own to bring the Mavericks within three points, but Rockets guard Amen Thompson made a midrange shot from the baseline, effectively ending any chances of another comeback attempt.

In what was a tightly run game, the Mavericks faced major issues and failed to find a rhythm offensively, which was the main cause of the early double-digit deficit. Dallas fell to 3-2, while the Rockets improved to 3-2.

Dallas missed 13 of its first 21 shots in the first quarter, resulting in an early 13-point deficit.

“We’ve got to figure out how to get off to a better start,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “The slow start (had something to do with it), but the mistakes and rebounds, that’s what it comes down to. We have to be better in that area.”

Doncic, who averaged just 2.1 fouls last season, was whistled for his third foul with 3:19 left in the second quarter. The Mavericks star stepped back in transition and took a swipe at the ball as Jabari Smith Jr. drove to the basket, but the referee ruled there was enough contact to merit a foul. Doncic held up his hands in disbelief and looked at the jumbotron to check the replay. He repeatedly said “I didn’t touch him” to the officer, but the call stood.

It was a microcosm of the Mavericks’ frustration with the officials throughout the game, which was accompanied by another poor shooting night. The Mavericks committed 27 personal fouls, while the Rockets picked up 20. Doncic finished with a team-high 25 points, scoring 15 of them in the fourth quarter. He made six of his eight attempts in the final 12 minutes, but made just six of 17 shots in the previous three quarters.

“That’s on me,” Doncic said after the game. “I started pretty bad so I take the blame because I have to do better than that. I know I can do it. I just have to concentrate and play my game.”

It’s only been five games, but Doncic is shooting a career-low 38% from the field (48 of 124) while shooting 29% from beyond the arc. He’s only converted on 14-of-48 from beyond the arc.

While a loss is still a loss, it didn’t come without a courageous comeback. Dallas went 25-9 from late in the third quarter until the 7:03 mark of the fourth quarter to make the game interesting. Kyrie Irving played a key role in leading the comeback. He nearly recorded a triple-double with 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Groen finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Dillon Brooks also added 17 points. Brooks embraced every part of his villainous reputation and played a key role in ruining Halloween for every Mavericks fan in attendance. After his second 3-pointer of the first quarter, which forced Mavericks coach Jason Kidd into a timeout, Brooks gave a mean mug to the crowd.

The Mavericks dropped the first game of the season to their domestic rival, but they will get another chance when they visit the Rockets in Houston on New Year’s Day.

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