Houston Rockets (21-10) vs. Dallas Mavericks (12-23)
January 3, 2026 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Dallas Mavericks +7.5; Over/Under: 226.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks do battle at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night. Here’s a Mavericks vs Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Mavericks vs Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets are starting to heat up again as they are riding a four-game win streak after smashing the Nets in a 120-96 road win on Thursday. Amen Thompson led the team with 23 points on 10 of 12 shooting, Kevin Durant added 22 points with 11 assists, Tari Eason scored 15 points with nine rebounds, while Alperen Sengun chipped in with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 57 percent from the field and 12 of 29 from the 3-point line as they played great defense early on to limit the Nets to just 42 points in the first half. Before the Rockets exploded for 37 points in the third quarter to put the game to bed early.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been in a slump as they’ve lost six of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to snap a four-game slide after getting routed by the 76ers in a 123-108 loss on Thursday. Max Christie led the team with 18 points on seven of 13 shooting, Brandon Williams added 14 points with seven rebounds and five assists while Cooper Flagg chipped in with 12 points and seven assists. As a team, the Mavericks shot 45 percent from the field and six of 28 from the 3-point line as they got off to a decent start with 33 points in the first quarter to take the early lead. But that didn’t last long at all as the Mavericks were always fighting a losing battle after getting outscored by 41-24 in the second quarter. Anthony Davis had a quiet game of just 13 points while PJ Washington scored just 11 points.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The home team has won 12 of the Mavericks’ last 13 games.
- The home team has covered the spread in 12 of the Mavericks’ last 13 games.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last four games.
- The Rockets have won each of their last four games.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in three of their last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Mavericks’ last nine home games against Southwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Rockets’ last four games against Southwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Klay Thompson ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.5) this season.
- Max Christie ranks 4th amongst qualified players for 3P% (45.9%) this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Tari Eason ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (50.0%) this season.
- Alperen Sengun ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for points in the paint per game (14.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (33.6%).
- Eight different Mavericks players have scored 25+ points in a game this season – equal-most in the league.
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.7).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (37.3).
Mavericks vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still missing Fred VanVleet, and they are keeping an eye on Steven Adams who is questionable due to a right ankle sprain, while the Mavericks have ruled out Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II. The Rockets went through their struggles three weeks ago, but they’ve been on a roll lately, and they looked great in their dominant win over the Nets on Thursday. So, they open as clear favorites against this Mavericks team, who have won just one of their past seven games overall. These teams have split two meetings this season, with the Mavericks winning the most recent meeting by 122-109 back on Dec. 6, but I think the Rockets get their revenge this time out.
