Roster - Dallas Mavericks

Houston Tx. -- The Dallas Mavericks took a 2-0 series lead with a 123-114 win over the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their first round series Thursday afternoon. 

It was a full team effort as seven Mavericks scored in double figures in the contest. DeMar DeRozan led the way again with 30 points, but not far behind was Chris Paul who scored 21. 

"We got a great effort from everyone," head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game. "They showed a lot of fight and resolve. They never backed down, and the reward was a good win in Game 2." 

A wrinkle the Mavericks introduced heading into the game was starting Otto Porter at the second forward slot instead of Marvin Bagley III. It paid off. 

Porter provided the necessary floor spacing for both DeRozan and Paul to operate around the basket. 

"Starter Porter was huge for us," Paul said. "He does so much both offensively and defensively that it was really a no brainer when coach came to me with the decision. He played down hill, he knocked down open shots, and he had no fear down the stretch." 

Porter scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, marking his first double-double of these playoffs. 

"Man coach just told me to go out there and play with my hair on fire, so I did," Porter said. "I know what I can give to the team, and I make sure to stay ready so that I never have to get ready.

"This team trusts me. I am glad that I could come through for them in a huge Game 2." 

With Porter in the starting lineup, Bagley was moved to the bench. He struggled in Game 1, but off the bench in Game 2 he found his groove. He scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes of play. 

"You know coach moved me to the bench, and I was ok with that," Bagley said. "I know what I can do, and regardless of how many minutes I play I am going to go out there and contribute." 

DeRozan agreed stating "Bagley is such a big part of our team. even if he comes off  the bench I know he can still contribute." 

The Rockets made an attempt to get back into the game late in the fourth quarter. Houston cut the lead to just two-possession at one point, but again down the stretch, DeRozan and Paul made key play after key play. And with a pairing like these two, it's hard to see Dallas not closing out a close game. 

"Me and DeRozan are clutch, we know it," Paul said. "Even though Houston got back into it, we knew we just had more big plays left in the tank than they did." 

Though Paul may be confident, this series is far from over. Still, a 2-0 series lead headed to the home portion of the schedule bodes favorably towards Dallas. And for Houston's case, Game 3 is a must win. 

"We are glad we got it done," Carlisle said. "The series is far from over, we still have work to do. And I wont count Houston out until the end of this series. They can flip the script on you in a heart beat." 

Dallas may be treading cautiously with it's 2-0 lead, but it does have a nice ring to it.