Casspi, Rockets roll Mekel, Mavs in preseason Israeli showdown

Israelis aced off as NBA opponents for the first time on Monday night when Casspi’s Houston Rockets defeated Mekel’s Dallas Mavericks.

By ALLON SINAI
Casspi, Mekel NBA 370 (photo credit: Courtesy )
Casspi, Mekel NBA 370
(photo credit: Courtesy )
Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel faced off as NBA opponents for the first time on Monday night when Casspi’s Houston Rockets defeated Mekel’s Dallas Mavericks 100-95 in a Texas derby.
Both Israelis began the game at the Toyota Center in Houston on the bench, but still played significant minutes and roles for their teams.
Dallas lost star Dirk Nowitzki late in the third quarter after he was ejected for a flagrant two foul for knocking Casspi to the ground on a fast break.
Mekel helped keep the Mavs in the game in the fourth quarter, but the hosts held on for a win, improving to 4-1 in the preseason.
The NBA regular season starts next Tuesday, with Casspi and Mekel to play their first games on Wednesday.
Casspi finished Monday’s win with 10 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes, with James Harden leading the Rockets with 19 points and Dwight Howard contributing 15 points and 17 rebounds.
Mekel had nine points and six assists in 22 minutes.
Casspi, who will be beginning his fifth NBA season and first with the Rockets, and Mekel, who was signed by the Mavs after an impressive summer camp showing, won’t have to wait much longer until they meet again with Houston already hosting Dallas on November 2.