When the Houston Rockets attempt to escape a dismal four-game run with a final stop in Dallas on February 8, the road hasn’t been kind to them.
The home team is putting on a strong show Saturday afternoon at American Airlines Centre to give their supporters a taste of how excellent this group is following Luka, according to my Rockets vs. Mavericks prediction and NBA choices.
Prediction for the Rockets vs. Mavericks
Pick (-110 at bet365) is my best wager.
My evaluation
The Houston Rockets had not lost three straight games this season going into this road trip. But after losing 127-114 in Minnesota, they have now lost five in a row.
The Rockets’ defence has been thrashed for at least 120 points for the third time in five games. During this skid, Houston has let teams shoot 49.2% from the field, which is a major factor in the fact that it has given up an incredible 63.6 points in the paint over its previous five games, making it the only NBA team to reach the 60-point mark.
Additionally, the Rockets are still incomplete. Trade deadline pickup Due to a fractured hand, Cody Zeller (personal) and fellow big man Jabari Smith Jr. will not be playing. This time, Fred VanVleet (ankle) is also not playing.
The Dallas Mavericks ended their five-game road trip with victories to finish 2-3, finally shaking off the post-Luka slump with a 127-120 victory in Boston. The Mavs’ defence has struggled in their last three games without Luka, giving up an average of 127.3 points per game.
Given that he is without a doubt one of the NBA’s top five defenders, Anthony Davis ought to be a huge relief from those problems. He will be covering up plenty of Dallas’s errors, just like he did in Los Angeles, which could strengthen the team.
However, he excels at two-way play, and his effort in the midrange and around the hoop will provide offensive steadiness on a regular basis, relieving Kyrie Irving of some of the strain and creating significant shooting lanes for players like Klay Thompson along the perimeter.
With Dwight Powell (hip) and Dereck Lively II (ankle) still weeks away from playing, Dallas’ frontcourt is severely injured. Caleb Martin, a recently acquired wing, will also miss time due to a hip injury.
Although the Rockets have defeated the Mavericks twice this season, the situation is very different this time.
Houston will play its fourth game in six days after losing four straight away. Dallas, one of just eight teams with a success rate above 50%, is 9-7-0 against the spread as a home favourite.
Being the version of himself that was dominating for the Lakers would help AD lessen the pain of Dallas supporters, who are well aware of the circumstances he is entering.
His season-long average of 25.7 points and 11.6 rebounds puts him in the NBA’s top 10. He will also be able to play his favourite power position in Dallas, letting big man Daniel Gafford (and Lively when he returns) to do the hammering.
Davis had an incredible 42-point, 23-rebound performance against Charlotte before suffering his abdominal injury. In four consecutive games, he has scored at least 24 points.
Jalen Green is still making connections from downtown even though his shooting splits aren’t very good. Green hit three or more 3-pointers for the fourth time in five games against Minnesota, going 3-for-8 from 3-point range.
Green could have lots of attractive looks this afternoon because Dallas is in the bottom ten when it comes to 3-ball defence.
Opening odds for the Rockets vs. Mavericks
Spread: Dallas -4 | Houston +4
Moneyline: Dallas -170 | Houston +145
Above/Below: Above 227 | Below 227
odds provided by bet365
Analysis of the Rockets vs. Mavericks spread and over/under
In its previous six games, Houston is 2-4-0 against the spread.
Since dealing Luka Doncic, Dallas has gone 2-1-0 ATS in their last three games.
In eight of their last nine games, the Mavericks have gone over the total.
Trend: Rockets vs. Mavericks
In seven of the last nine meetings between Houston and Dallas, the home team has covered the spread. Learn more about the Rockets vs. Mavericks NBA betting trends.
How to watch the Mavericks vs. Rockets game
WhereDate: Saturday, February 8, 2025; American Airlines Centre, Dallas, Texas
Tip-off time: 3:00 PM ET
Latest injuries for the KFAA Rockets vs. Mavericks on TV Space City Home Network
Status of the Dallas Mavericks Players
Hip-related Dwight Powell C-Out: Sat., Feb. 8
Hip Report for Caleb Martin SF Out: Friday, February 7
Ankle: Dereck Lively C Out
Published on Thursday, January 23
Position Status of the Houston Rockets
Ankle: Fred VanVleet PG Out
Date of report: Monday, February 3
Personal Report for Cody Zeller C Out: Saturday, January 25
Jabari Smith’s PF Out-Hand Report was made on Saturday, January 18.
