NBA Predictions: Can Mavericks keep up with Rockets? 1/24/18

Rockets vs. Mavericks Pick

Will the host Dallas Mavericks make it a competitive game tonight when they battle the Houston Rockets at 8PM ET?

Who Oddsmakers Like: Houston. According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rockets are a 7-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 218 points. Houston opened as a 6.5-point fave, while the over-under has gone down from 219.

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Who the Public Likes: Houston. As of Wednesday afternoon, 81 percent of public bets have sided with the Rockets.

Injury Report: Rockets forward Zhou Qi has missed the last five games with an elbow injury and is doubtful to play tonight. For the Mavericks, Devin Harris missed the last game with a brain injury and is questionable for today. Dorian Finney-Smith is out with tendinitis in his quadriceps and is out until mid-February. Seth Curry is out until at least mid-February with a stress reaction in his leg. Nerlens Noel is out until early February as he recovers from thumb surgery.

Who the Trends Like: Houston is 5-2 ATS in its last seven meetings in Dallas and 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings overall. The under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.

Who We Like: Houston has won six of its last seven, but the one loss in the stretch is a 113-102 setback in its last road game at the Clippers. It was also the Rockets' final game without James Harden and they have won three in a row with him back in the lineup. But on a back-to-back, I think the Mavs have a great shot at keeping this contest close. Dallas is 3-3 in its last six and most recently blew out the Wizards at home by a count of 98-75. I expect Dallas to continue its strong play here.

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: DALLAS MAVERICKS +7