The Houston Rockets (15-5) visit the Dallas Mavericks (8-16) Saturday, Tip-off from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, is at 8:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Mavericks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rockets lead 1-0
The Rockets are 5-1 in their last 6 games and 10-2 in their last 12. They have won their last 2 games, including Friday night, a 117-98 home win over the Phoenix Suns as 8.5-point favorites with the Under (219) cashing. G Amen Thompson led them in scoring with 31 points, while F Kevin Durant added 28 and 8 assists. The Suns were playing without G Devin Booker.
The Mavericks have won 3 of their last 4 games after dropping 5 of 6, but they are coming off a 132-111 road loss Friday to the Oklahoma City Thunder as 15.5-point underdogs with the Over (229) cashing. F Anthony Davis has played in the Mavs’ last 4 games.
On Nov. 3, the Mavs covered the 12.5-point spread in a 110-102 loss to the Rockets in Houston, with the Under (225.5) cashing.
Rockets at Mavericks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:50 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Rockets -375 (bet $375 to win $100) | Mavericks +290 (bet $100 to win $290)Against the spread (ATS): Rockets -8.5 (-110) | Mavericks +8.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Rockets at Mavericks key injuries
Rockets
(Not yet submitted — below was for Friday’s game)
F Tari Eason (oblique) outF Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) outG Fred VanVleet (knee) out
Mavericks
(Not yet submitted — below was for Friday’s game)
G Dante Exum (knee) outC Daniel Gafford (ankle) questionableG Kyrie Irving (knee) outF Dereck Lively II (foot) outF P.J. Washington (ankle) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Mavericks picks and predictionsPrediction
Rockets 112, Mavericks 101
Davis is back for the Mavericks, but when playing one of the Western Conference elites in the Thunder, they were blown out. The Rockets are in that same category. Houston is 8-3 on the road, while the Mavs are 5-9 at home. The Mavs are 2-3 on no rest, while the Rockets are 0-1 in just one game with no rest.
But the Rockets aren’t just winning, they are blowing out teams. That makes the spread a much better bet.
PASS.
Five of the Rockets’ last 6 wins and 11 of their 15 overall wins have been by double digits.
Two of the Mavs’ last 3 losses have been by double digits.
BET ROCKETS -8.5 (-110).
Their last matchup had a total of 212. The Rockets have allowed 101 or fewer points in their last 5 wins. Only 2 of their last 8 games have reached 225 total points, while 4 of the Mavs’ last 5 have.
BET UNDER 224.5 (-110).
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