The Dallas Mavericks (29-18) square up against the Southwestern Division rival Houston Rockets (29-18) at Toyota Center Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Mavericks-Rockets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Mavericks at Rockets: Key injuries
Mavericks
- SG Tim Hardaway Jr. (back) probable
- SG Luka Doncic (ankle) out
- PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out
Rockets
- SF Gerald Green (foot) out
- C Nene Hilario (groin) out
- C Clint Capela (heel) out
Mavericks at Rockets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Rockets 111, Mavericks 107
Moneyline (ML)
No way I’d recommend taking either money line in Mavericks-Rockets. The Mavericks (+360) will be missing their MVP contender in Doncic, after he sprained an ankle in practice. Plus Hardaway Jr. is questionable. He scored a season-high 31 points in the Mavs’ last game against Houston. The Rockets (-500) have been inconsistent in January with a 6-7 record.
PASS ON A MONEY LINE WAGER.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
In the four games Doncic missed previously this season, the Mavericks went 2-2 outright and 2-2 against the spread. Those games came against above .500 teams (Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks). As it relates to the point spread, this is an advantageous spot for the Mavericks. Dallas is 1-0 against the spread when getting 7-9.5 points and the Rockets are 4-6 ATS when laying 7-9.5 points. Additionally, Dallas has the second-best ATS record on the road, at 14-5-2 ATS, and the Rockets are just 22-25 ATS on the season.
Their schedules should factor into this handicap as well. The Mavericks are 7-5 ATS when playing with a rest advantage and the Rockets are 3-7 ATS with a rest disadvantage. Also, maybe hold off a little bit for the spread to be bet up to 10 points; the Rockets are just 1-7 ATS when laying 10-12 points.
Either way, definitely BET MAVERICKS (+9.5, -110).
Over/Under (O/U)
Since we’re on the Mavericks to cover, their leading scorer is sidelined and their third-leading scorer—Hardaway Jr.—is questionable with injury, the UNDER 235.5 (-115) correlates with our ATS bet.
The Rockets’ 21-26 Over/Under record is due to bookmakers’ pricing their point totals according to public perception, which is Houston has a high-octane offense. Going back to Houston’s rest disadvantage, the Rockets have a 2-8 Over/Under record in those situations. Furthermore, the Under is 10-3-1 in the last 14 Mavericks-Rockets meetings.
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