Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Preview
The Dallas Mavericks, currently positioned 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 19 wins and 29 losses, are set to clash with the Houston Rockets, who sit in fourth place at 29 wins and 17 losses. This matchup will take place on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. EST in Houston.
Recent Performances
In their most recent contest, the Mavericks narrowly lost to the Charlotte Hornets, with Cooper Flagg putting on an impressive performance, scoring 49 points. As they prepare to face the Rockets, the Mavericks have faced struggles against divisional rivals, recording a 3-6 mark against teams in the Southwest Division, and a 7-11 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
On the other side of the court, the Rockets have shown resilience with a competitive 5-5 record against divisional foes. Houston’s effectiveness has been notable when they’ve managed to keep their turnovers down, winning 11 out of 14 contests where they recorded fewer turnovers than their opponents—averaging 14.4 turnovers per game.
Statistical Overview
Statistically, Houston averages 116.1 points per game, slightly below the 116.7 points yielded by the Mavericks. Conversely, the Mavericks put up an average of 114.2 points, surpassing the Rockets’ defensive allowance of 110.0 points per game.
This will mark the fourth meeting between these two teams this season. Their last encounter on January 4 saw the Mavericks secure a 110-104 victory, highlighted by Anthony Davis’s 26-point contribution.
Key Players
In terms of key players, Kevin Durant continues to be a strong asset for the Rockets with averages of 26.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Alperen Sengun has also been vital, averaging 19.5 points across his last ten outings. For the Mavericks, Flagg not only leads the team with 19.5 points, but he also contributes 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Meanwhile, Naji Marshall has been performing well, averaging 18.6 points in his recent games.
Injury Report
In terms of injuries, the Rockets will miss Fred VanVleet for the season due to an ACL injury, and Dorian Finney-Smith and Tari Eason are listed as day-to-day. The Mavericks have their own challenges, with key players including Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving, and Dante Exum ruled out for the season, and Naji Marshall and Anthony Davis categorized as day-to-day with injuries.
Conclusion
The matchup presents a crucial opportunity for both teams to shift their fortunes in the competitive landscape of the Western Conference.
This report was compiled utilizing advanced technology from Data Skrive alongside data obtained from Sportradar.
