The Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets face off against each other for their first games since the calendar flipped to 2025. Both teams are on a two-game losing skid, so expect this game to be a little heated, not to mention that this is between division rivals. Will the Mavericks come away with a win in the last game of their current road trip? Or, will the Rockets end their slump?
Catch this game live on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Dallas Mavericks (20-13, 10-8 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Kyrie Irving
- Klay Thompson
- P.J. Washington
- Dereck Lively II (Questionable)
Life without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving is hard for the Mavericks, who lost to the Sacramento Kings on the road on Tuesday, 110-100. Both Doncic and Irving were unavailable in that game due to injuries, but at least it looks like Irving is all set to return to action this Thursday. Irving missed the Sacramento game with right shoulder soreness. Also coming back after a one-game absence is Klay Thomspon, who sat out the meeting with the Kings because of an illness.
With Irving returning, he is expected to carry a heavy load on offense, especially with Doncic still absent. Uncle Drew had 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in Dallas’ 102-102 home loss to the Rockets on Nov. 1. Dinwiddie is someone to watch out for over the side of the Mavs after he capitalized on a big usage against Sacramento, scoring 30 points on 8-for-18 shooting.
As a team, the Mavericks are averaging 117.1 points this season and enter the rematch versus Houston with a 6-4 record against the spread in their last 10 games away from home.
Home: Houston Rockets (21-11, 11-5 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Fred VanVleet
- Jalen Green
- Dillon Brooks
- Jabari Smith Jr.
- Alperen Sengun
The Rockets are looking to kick off their 2025 schedule with a win. They already got some good news ahead of the meeting with Dallas, as Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green escaped suspension following their involvement in the skirmish during Houston’s 104-100 home loss to the Miami Heat last Monday. However, Amen Thompson got slapped with a two-game suspension, so he’s bound to miss the date with Dallas.
The Rockets, who have lost their last two games, will look to rely on their defense to stifle Dallas. That’s going to be easier said than done, but it’s a huge plus for the Rockets that they don’t have to worry about Doncic this time around. Doncic torched them for 29 points the first time out. So far in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the Rockets are third in the league with just 106.6 points allowed per game and second with a 50.5 defensive effective field goal percentage.
The Rockets have covered the spread in three of their last four home games against the Mavericks.
Picks
Spread: Dallas Mavericks (+5.5)
Over/Under: Under (221.5)
