Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets – NBA Preview – Jan 1, 2025
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets face off at the Toyota Center in a Western Conference showdown on January 1, 2025. The game tips off at 8:00 PM ET with Houston holding a slim lead in the standings as the third seed at 21-11, while Dallas sits in fourth at 20-13. The Rockets won their last meeting 108-102 on October 31, 2024.
Both teams are looking to get back on track after recent struggles. Houston is coming off a two-game skid marked by fourth-quarter collapses, while Dallas is managing a depleted roster and has lost three of its last four games. This matchup will test the depth and resilience of both teams.
Dallas Mavericks Preview – Overcoming Key Injuries
The Mavericks enter this game short-handed, with Luka Doncic sidelined for at least a month due to a calf injury. Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Dereck Lively II are all day-to-day, leaving coach Jason Kidd relying heavily on Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington. Dinwiddie and Washington combined for 58 points in Dallas’ recent 110-100 loss to Sacramento.
Dallas has been inconsistent offensively, ranking 7th in points per game but relying heavily on perimeter shooting. Without Doncic and Irving, ball movement and secondary scoring have become critical. Players like Josh Green and Jaden Hardy will need to step up to provide support.
Defensively, Dallas has been solid, ranking among the top teams in limiting opponents’ field goal percentage. However, rebounding remains a concern, especially against a Houston team that thrives on second-chance opportunities.
Houston Rockets Preview – Fixing Late-Game Offense
The Rockets have struggled to close games, recently blowing sizable leads to Minnesota and Miami. Houston’s fourth-quarter scoring woes have been compounded by poor three-point shooting, where they rank near the bottom of the league at 32.7%. Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun continue to carry the offensive load but face increased defensive attention.
Sengun is a key player for Houston, averaging a double-double and serving as a facilitator in the post. However, turnovers and late-game execution have hindered his impact. Jalen Green’s scoring ability is critical, but his efficiency has dipped, particularly in crunch time.
Houston will be without Amen Thompson due to a two-game suspension. This puts additional pressure on Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to stabilize the backcourt. Defensive intensity has been a bright spot for Houston, ranking 3rd in opponent points allowed, but they need their offense to match that effort.
Betting Prediction
The Rockets are favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 221.5. Houston’s defensive strength and home-court advantage give them an edge, but their late-game struggles make the spread risky. Dallas, even short-handed, has shown resilience and could keep the game close.
Expect a low-scoring affair with both teams struggling offensively. A predicted score of 107-103 in favor of Houston suggests taking Dallas to cover the spread and leaning toward the under on the total.
Pick: Dallas +5.5, Under 221.5