The Dallas Mavericks visit their Texas neighbors looking to go up two-zip in the season series. They won the first match-up through an offensive onslaught, 137-123.

Can the Houston Rockets answer back?

HOME TEAM: Houston Rockets (29-18, 15-7 at home)

Inconsistency, thy name is Houston Rockets. After halting the Utah Jazz’s impressive run this past Tuesday (without James Harden AND Russell Westbrook), they fell to the unseeded Portland Trail Blazers with the two All-Stars playing, 125-112. Houston has also been alternating wins and losses for four-straight games now.

Harden had a terrible return from a thigh injury as he only scored 18 points on 5-for-18 shooting – it’s been that kind of month for the former MVP, though (32.9 FG% in his last 10). Clint Capela struggled in his return as well, tallying just two points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes of play.

Fortunately for the Rockets, however, Westbrook had a superb month of January, and it started just went his All-Star partner got ice cold. Russ is nearly averaging a 34-point triple-double in his last eight games – 34 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 9.0 APG.

Harden (27), Westbrook (32), and Capela (21) combined for 80 points in that loss to the Mavericks in November.

ROAD TEAM: Dallas Mavericks (29-18, 16-6 on the road)

Like the Rockets, the Mavericks are taking turns getting Ws and Ls. Their run is now at six, with the most recent being a 133-104 thrashing in the hands of the lowly Phoenix Suns, highlighted by giving up 48 points in the third quarter. It was ugly performance from the Mavs, even for Luka Doncic, who had a mostly uneventful 21 points.

Still, confidence is high for tomorrow thanks to that 137-point eruption over the Rockets last November. Things simply clicked, especially for the top three scorers – Doncic scored a team-high 41, Tim Hardaway Jr. had a season-high 31 points, and Kristaps Porzingis recorded a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds. Expect the trio to keep leading the Mavs offense, which ranks top three in scoring (116.1 PPG) and offensive efficiency.

PREDICTION:

Luka scores as he always does on Houston’s hot-and-cold defense, but in the end, the Rockets tie the season series by winning a tight game, 119-116. Westbrook stars again and Harden finally breaks out of his slump with a solid shooting clip.