The Dallas Mavericks (28-21) travel in-state to play the Houston Rockets (13-37) Wednesday at Toyota Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Mavericks-Rockets odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Dallas has won five in a row and seven of its past nine games (7-2 against the spread) including a 111-103 victory over the first-place Utah Jazz Monday without PF Kristaps Porzingis as 5.5-point home underdogs.
The Rockets enter on a five-game losing streak and have dropped 27 of their last 29 games (6-23 ATS). Houston lost 133-130 to the Phoenix Suns Monday as 14-point home underdogs to cover its second game in the last four.
A couple of weeks before Houston’s epic 20-game losing streak, the Rockets dominated the Mavs 133-108 to even the season series. However, four of Houston’s starters won’t be in today’s game, and Porzingis is probable to return tonight.
Mavericks at Rockets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks -550 (bet $550 to win $100) | Rockets +400 (bet $100 to win $400)
- Against the spread/ATS: Mavericks -10.5 (-110) | Rockets +10.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mavericks at Rockets: Key injuries
Mavericks
- PF Kristaps Porzingis (wrist) probable
- PF Maxi Kleber (lower leg) questionable
- PG Trey Burke (calf) questionable
- C Willie Cauley-Stein (health and safety protocols) out
- SG J.J. Redick (heel) out
Rockets
- SG Avery Bradley (knee) probable
- PG John Wall (knee) probable
- SG Eric Gordon (groin) out
- SF David Nwaba (wrist) out
- SF Danuel House (ankle) out
Special NBA Betting Promotion!
Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN, VA and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Mavericks at Rockets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Mavericks 117, Rockets 109
Money line (ML)
PASS because Dallas should win this game easily, but the Mavericks (-550) is far too expensive given the randomness of the NBA regular season.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
Dallas is percolating right now and rounding into form as the season progresses, but the Mavs are just 2-8 ATS at home against teams with a losing record.
Also, according to Pregame.com, nearly 85% of the money is on Dallas to cover but bookmakers have moved the line down from the 11-point opener, which is a red flag.
Granted, the market hasn’t adjusted to Houston’s terribleness (16-34 ATS this season), but the Rockets have covered or been with a few possessions of covering in their last seven games.
“LEAN” to the ROCKETS +10.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit because betting on Houston this season would have destroyed your bankroll.
Over/Under (O/U)
Luka Dončić has been terrific post-All-Star break and is averaging 29.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game in the first two Mavericks-Rockets meetings this season.
Also, if the Rockets are going to cover this game, they’ll most likely need to execute offensively. Luka’s numbers are almost a lock, and Houston’s offense put up 130 points against an awesome Phoenix Suns defense Monday.
BET OVER 222.5 (-110) for a half-unit.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @Geoffery_Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]