The Dallas Mavericks (19-29) and Houston Rockets (29-17) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on ABC.
The Rockets are 10.5-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (Rockets -10.5), with the over/under set at 223.5 total points. Houston is a -470 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +360 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mavericks vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, January 31.
Mavericks vs Rockets Prediction, Picks
- Mavericks vs Rockets pick: Naji Marshall Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
My Rockets vs. Mavericks best bet is on Naji Marshall over 21.5 points + rebounds. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Mavericks vs Rockets Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -105 | 223.5 -108o / -112u | +360 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -115 | 223.5 -108o / -112u | -470 |
Mavericks vs Rockets NBA Preview
The Rockets suffered just their fourth home loss of the season on Wednesday.
However, they quickly responded with a dominant victory over the Hawks. Their sixth-ranked defense led the way as they held the shorthanded Hawks to 86 points.
The Rockets won their seventh game in their last 10 games as Kevin Durant scored 31 points.
Recently, Durant passed Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki for fifth place on the all-time scoring list. The Mavericks may have already found their next star.
On Thursday night, Cooper Flagg scored 49 points on 20-of-29 from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds as well. He broke his own franchise rookie scoring record that he tied when he scored 42 points against the Jazz.
Flagg is now averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
Despite his efforts on Thursday, the Mavericks fell 123-121 to Charlotte. It was their third straight loss as they sit 3.5 games back of the Clippers for the 10th seed in the West.
The Hornets knocked down 20 3-pointers en route to their victory.
Houston averages 11 3-pointers so Dallas’ perimeter defense should be a bit better tonight as it ranks second in 3-pointers allowed.
However, Durant, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. are certainly capable of hurting them from the perimeter.
Defensively, the Mavericks rank ninth in defensive rating this season.
The Mavs have held up well against Houston, as the Rockets have not scored more than 110 points in the three meetings. That has helped Dallas take two of the first three meetings and cover all three.
This time around, they will not have Anthony Davis available.
Mavericks vs Rockets Predictions, Betting Analysis
Naji Marshall 20+ Points + Rebounds
An unsung hero for the Mavericks this season has been Naji Marshall.
Marshall is shooting 54.4% from the field this season and ranks 16th in the league.
That has helped him score 14 points in 11 consecutive games. He has also had four rebounds in 10 of those games.
As a result, Marshall has recorded 22 PR in seven of his last eight and eight of his past 11 games.
He is averaging 25.7 PR over his last 11 games, well clear of the 22 he will need tonight.
Cooper Flagg 5+ Rebounds
Flagg should help him on the glass as he has had five rebounds in all three games against the Rockets this season.
He has had five rebounds in eight of his last 10 games, averaging 6.7 per game.
Kevin Durant 30+ Points +Rebounds
Meanwhile, Durant is averaging 33.8 PR over his last 10 games. He has had at least 30 in six of those games.
Additionally, he had 39 PR in the last meeting between these teams.
Mavericks vs Rockets Best Bet
- Naji Marshall Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
Mavericks vs Rockets Parlay Picks
- Kevin Durant 30+ Points +Rebounds
- Cooper Flagg 5+ Rebounds
- Naji Marshall 20+ Points + Rebounds
Parlay Odds: +234 via DraftKings
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this game.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline as well.
Over/Under
My Rockets vs. Mavericks betting prediction is on Naji Marshall over 21.5 points + rebounds at -115.
Rockets vs Mavericks Betting Trends
