The Dallas Mavericks will visit the Houston Rockets on Friday, March 14 at the Toyota Center. Houston enters the game with a 41-25 record, good for fifth in the Western Conference. Dallas sits at 33-34, holding the 10th spot as they fight to stay in the play-in race. In their most recent meeting, Dallas defeated Houston 116-105 on February 8.
Houston has won four straight games while Dallas has lost six of their last seven. The Mavericks are dealing with several key injuries, and their defense struggled badly in their last loss to San Antonio. Houston’s backcourt play has been a major factor in their recent success, with Jalen Green stepping up as a primary scorer and facilitator.
Mavericks Preview – Injuries Continue to Pile Up
The Mavericks have struggled with injuries in recent weeks. Big men Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II remain out, leaving Dallas vulnerable inside. Without rim protection, Dallas allowed 66 points in the paint in their recent loss to the Spurs.
Dallas has relied heavily on Luka Dončić to carry the offense. Dončić is averaging 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game this season. In recent weeks, guard Brandon Williams has emerged as a key scorer off the bench. Williams scored 19 points against San Antonio and had a career-high 31 points against Memphis two games earlier.
The Mavericks have also leaned on role players like Derrick Jones Jr. and Tim Hardaway Jr. for scoring. Dallas is shooting 36.8% from three this season but lacks a strong inside presence due to injuries. The Mavericks will need to limit turnovers and improve their defensive rotations to compete with Houston’s fast-paced attack.
Rockets Preview – Backcourt Leading the Charge
Houston is thriving despite multiple injuries. Fred VanVleet recently returned after missing 16 of the previous 17 games due to an ankle injury. He scored 10 points with four assists in Houston’s win over Phoenix on Wednesday.
Jalen Green has stepped up in VanVleet’s absence, averaging 29 points in his last game. Green is also handling more of the ball-handling duties with Amen Thompson (ankle) and rookie Reed Sheppard (thumb) out. Green’s ability to create shots and facilitate the offense has kept Houston’s attack strong.
Alperen Sengun remains a key interior presence for Houston. Sengun is shooting 55.6% from the field and averaging 18.2 points with 9.2 rebounds per game. Houston’s ability to attack the rim has been crucial, and with Dallas’ lack of rim protection, the Rockets should have an advantage in the paint.
Key Stats and Matchup Trends
- Houston is 23-10 at home this season, while Dallas is just 14-19 on the road.
- The Rockets are on a four-game winning streak, averaging 113.5 points per game during that stretch.
- Dallas has allowed 120 or more points in five of their last seven games.
- Houston has won seven of their last ten home games.
- The total has gone under in four of the last six meetings between these teams.
Betting Prediction
Houston enters this game as an 11.5-point favorite, and their recent form suggests they can cover that spread. The Rockets’ improved guard play with Green and VanVleet healthy makes their offense difficult to stop. Meanwhile, Dallas’ lack of size and defensive issues have been clear during their recent struggles.
With Houston scoring well and Dallas struggling to contain dribble penetration, expect the Rockets to score consistently. The Mavericks may keep it close early, but Houston should pull away late and cover the spread.
Pick: Houston Rockets -11.5
