HOUSTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- O.J. Mayo scored 40 points and sparked a late comeback that brought Dallas a 116-109 win over Houston in the return of Rockets Coach Kevin McHale.
Mayo pumped in 16 of his points in the fourth quarter, during which the Mavericks erased a nine-point deficit and outscored the Rockets 32-20 to win going away.
Mayo also pulled down eight rebounds and Chris Kaman provided 20 points with seven boards as the Mavericks logged an eighth straight win over their Texas rivals.
James Harden fired in 39 points and Chandler Parsons contributed 18 and 10 rebounds for the Rockets in their first game under McHale since he took a leave of absence Nov. 10.
The Houston coach took the time off to deal with the unexpected death of his 23-year-old daughter Alexandra "Sasha" McHale, who died Nov. 24 after a battle with lupus.
