The Houston Rockets (1-2) will travel to American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks (1-1) Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Mavericks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Dallas Mavericks have one of the preseason MVP favorites in PG Luka Doncic but have struggled so far this season, beating the Toronto Raptors by 8 and losing to the Atlanta Hawks by 26. The Mavs have averaged just 95 points per game, so PF Kristaps Porzingis and company haven’t helped out Doncic much.
The Rockets are full of rising stars. PF Christian Wood leads the team, but he will soon be eclipsed by No. 2 overall pick SG Jalen Green, who exploded onto the scene with 8 threes last game. We’ll see if he can keep up that as they enter a hostile American Airlines Center.
Rockets at Mavericks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:12 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +500 (bet $100 to win $500) | Mavericks -750 (bet $750 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +10.5 (-107) | Mavericks -10.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Rockets at Mavericks key injuries
Rockets
- None affecting gambling odds
Mavericks
- None affecting gambling odds
Rockets at Mavericks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Mavericks 110, Rockets 108
Money line
PASS on the money line.
If anything, I might toss a partial-unit bet on the Rockets at +500 as they’re coming off a complete manhandling of the Oklahoma City Thunder. At full strength and with rookie G Jalen Green surging the Rockets should be a capable opponent.
Nonetheless, I’d still pass on the money line.
Against the spread
BET on the ROCKETS +10.5 (-107) as the best value in this match.
The line was at +11 earlier, and without any injuries, there is reason to assume bets are raining in on Houston.
Why not though? Wood is averaging 22 and 10, Green is finding his rhythm, and both Ja’Sean Tate and Kevin Porter Jr. are score-first, crafty guards.
The Mavericks just haven’t shown enough this season. Stars like Doncic that typically get calls for their tricky ball handling and leaning into shots have struggled.
Doncic is averaging just 22.5 points per game despite being a preseason MVP favorite, and he needs to step up for the Mavericks to become a contender.
Given his struggles, the inconsistency of PF Kristaps Porzingis, and the rising stars Houston will be bringing to Dallas, the Rockets spread is an enticing play.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 221.5 (-115) as it’s getting a little juice and is the better bet. With the Mavericks ranked 26th in pace their style should dictate this game.
A halfcourt-heavy offense led by Doncic, aided by G Tim Hardaway Jr. and filled with sharpshooters, Dallas prefers to beat you down with screens and post-ups. It should also be good for the Under here even if it works.
With many young players like Green, Tate and Porter Jr., Houston is a bit too inconsistent for me to think it could consistently put up more than 110. They’ve scored more than 106 points just once — a 33-point blowout over the Thunder where they posted 124.
With that in mind, the Under is the better play.
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