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Beverley improves Rockets' chances against Mavs

HOUSTON -- Patrick Beverley was front and center in the waning moments of Houston's 102-99 victory over Oklahoma City on Friday night, defending Thunder guard Russell Westbrook with vigor as the Rockets clutched a one-possession lead.

For those aware of the value that Beverley brings to the Rockets (16-7) as a tenacious defender and reliable 3-point shooter, his impact on their turnaround isn't a surprise. However, how well Houston has performed since Beverley returned from preseason knee surgery is noteworthy after the Rockets improved to 10-2 with him.

"Pat has contributed in so many ways," said coach Mike D'Antoni, whose will lead the Rockets against the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night at Toyota Center.

"He's just good. That's a winning spirit and the ripple effect of what he does with his energy just in the locker room before games, after games, on the bus. Whatever it is, it's all about winning.

"I wish we had him all year now. I'm ticked off that he was hurt."

Despite being unable to find his shot (1 of 8 from the floor) and occasionally struggling to defend without fouling (five personal fouls), Beverley made a positive impact even before harassing Westbrook into errant shots inside the final minute. He finished with two steals, five assists and 12 rebounds, four on the offensive end.

He entered Friday second on the team to center Clint Capela in defensive box plus/minus, and his 35.9 percent 3-point shooting is good enough to deliver as at best a tertiary perimeter option. His 4.7 assists per game represent a career high.

But Beverley helped the Rockets win for the seventh time in eight games by forcing Westbrook into an air ball in the closing seconds. It was a routine, game-saving play.

"Pat's defense was tremendous, ridiculous," Rockets forward Ryan Anderson said. "He's so valuable to this team just from plays like that. That was huge."

For one game at least, the Mavericks (5-17) found the inspiration necessary to parlay their postgame team meeting on Wednesday night into something substantive. Despite missing forward Dirk Nowitzki (right Achilles), guard J.J. Barea (left calf) and center Andrew Bogut (right knee), Dallas exacted a measure of revenge against the Indiana Pacers with a 111-103 home victory on Friday night. The Mavericks dropped their season opener in Indianapolis.

Dallas suffered a 31-point walloping against the Kings on Wednesday, prompting an impromptu locker room meeting after the loss. The Mavericks remain in last place in the Western Conference, but their energy and effort, lacking against the Kings, were present and accounted for with Indiana paying a visit.

Until the Mavericks, 0-2 against the Rockets this season, are made whole again, their intensity and execution must carry them. That truth was underscored Friday.

"We just wanted to come out and compete," Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith said. "We felt like we left a lot out there on the court the other night. We had a good practice and we tried to come out and give it our all and let the chips fall."

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