Rockets apologize to Mavericks for in-game 'it will all be over soon' tweet

— -- HOUSTON -- The Rockets apologized Tuesday night to the  Dallas Mavericks for an in-game tweet posted to their team account that used emoji imagery of a pistol situated next to a horse and text suggesting they should give in to an inevitable end.

Houston eliminated Dallas in five games of their Western Conference playoff series with a 103-94 victory.

The Mavericks' Twitter feed responded in kind.

The Rockets apologized with another tweet and deleted the 10:44 ET posting that started the three-post thread, which was was over and done in 33 minutes.

The postgame interaction on the floor was cordial, with players from both teams exchanging pleasantries and hugs.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said Houston was a legit title contender and congratulated general manager Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale.

McHale, a close friend of Carlisle from their playing days with the Boston Celtics, praised the Mavericks players, even calling Dirk Nowitzki a champion.

Houston advanced out of the first round for just the second time since 1997.

"It feels good," James Harden said. "Obviously this isn't it for us. We have bigger goals. It was a great series for our guys and I'm looking forward to the next one."

Dallas enters the offseason with major issues.

Starting small forward Chandler Parsons may need microfracture surgery and point guard Rajon Rondo after playing two games, was scratched for the rest of the series after a questionable back injury, and enters free agency.

"We've got to get healthy," Carlisle said. "Playing the series without Parsons is a big factor. He's one of our top players and then the other things that happened during the series.

"Look, injuries are a part of it and Houston has got a couple of guys down, too. Health is a big part of it. We have a lot of free agents, we've got as many as 11, depending on the op-ins and op-outs and so there will be a lot of activity this summer."