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Mavericks vs. Rockets Prediction and Odds for January 1: A Texas Matchup on New Year’s Day

Contributors
Published January 1, 2025
6 min read

New Year’s Day features a high-stakes Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets showdown! For new users at FanDuel Sportsbook, you can bet $5 and receive $250 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins!

For the best NBA game previews, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2024-25 NBA season! Whether you’re supporting the Dallas Mavericks or the Houston Rockets, new users can take advantage of the top NBA sportsbook promos and bonuses before the New Year’s Day matchup tips off!

The Dallas Mavericks take the court on Wednesday night on a two-game slide with Luka Doncic, who will be unavailable until the end of January. The Houston Rockets are on their two-game slide and will be without sophomore Amen Thompson due to suspension—the game tips off at 8:00 PM EST on Wednesday at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Let’s check out the bets!

Mavericks vs Rockets Prediction

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Betting Odds at FanDuel Sportsbook

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Head over to FanDuel and place your bets on the Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets match: Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

Also, check out our list of the best NBA betting sites for more betting opportunities.

Teams Spread Moneyline Total
Dallas Mavericks +5.0 (-110) +176 Over 221.5 (-112)
Houston Rockets -5.0 (-110) -210 Under 221.5 (-108)

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Dallas Mavericks Preview

The Dallas Mavericks are 1-2 over the last three games without Luka Doncic, and they aim to get back on the winning track when they take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Despite leading for parts of the match, they are coming off a loss to the Sacramento Kings, where their role players had to compensate for an extensive list of unavailable contributors.

Through 33 games this season, the Dallas Mavericks have posted an 18-14-1 ATS Record (8th of 30), a 17-16-0 Over Record (16th of 30), and a 20-13 Win/Loss Record. They have won two of their last five games, both as the favorite, covering the spread twice and hitting the points total over twice.

Dallas fought hard in their last match despite losing to the Kings. Spencer Dinwiddie and PJ Washington combined for 58 points to lead the Mavericks in their loss, and they will be relied upon on Wednesday night. The Rockets’ defense is among the league’s best, so expect another low-scoring affair.

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Dallas Mavericks Injury Notes

  • Kyrie Irving (Shoulder) - 31 December 2024 - Irving did not play in Dallas’ last match.

  • Klay Thompson (Illness) - 31 December 2024 - Thompson did not play in Dallas’ previous match.

  • Naji Marshall (Suspension) - 31 December 2024 - Marshall did not play in Dallas’ previous match, part of serving a four-game suspension.

  • Dereck Lively II (Hip) - 28 December 2024 - Lively II is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday night against the Rockets.

  • Luka Doncic (Calf) - 27 December 2024 - Doncic will be re-evaluated in one month after suffering a left calf strain

  • Dante Exum (Wrist) - 9 October 2024 - Exum is expected to miss three months after undergoing wrist surgery

Houston Rockets Preview

After an excellent start to the regular season, the Houston Rockets closed out 2024 with a controversial event that saw multiple fines and the suspension of Amen Thompson for two games. They enter this matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on their home court, hoping their defensive quality will still be enough against the Kyrie Irving-led Mavericks.

The Houston Rockets have posted a 19-13-0 ATS Record (6th of 30), a 16-15-1 Over Record (13th of 30), and a 21-11 Win/Loss Record (6th of 30). They have won two of their last five games, both as the favorite, covering the spread twice and hitting the points total over three times.

While the Rockets have lost back-to-back games, each was a close affair. They need to shore up their perimeter defense, as they’ve allowed 15.5 threes per game on 40.8% efficiency over that stretch. They’ll lean on star man Alperen Sengun to dominate the paint, as he’s coming off an 18-point, 18-rebound double-double in his previous match.

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Houston Rockets Injury Notes

  • Amen Thompson (Suspension) - 31 December 2024 - Thompson was suspended two games after an altercation against the Heat

  • Tari Eason (Lower Leg) - 31 December 2024 - Eason is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday night against the Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets: My Pick

The Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets enter Wednesday night’s match shorthanded, but the players available will put on a competitive performance. Both teams are on a two-game slide, but the Rockets project to be the winner due to the depth of their production and stellar defense. Dallas has the star power behind Irving and Thompson, but their role players have failed to make up the difference from Doncic’s absence in recent games.

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How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets

  • Teams: Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets

  • Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

  • Date: 8:00 PM, Wednesday, January 1, 2025

  • TV:  Space City Home Network, KFAA, NBA League Pass (Stream)

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Christian Jope WSN Contributors

Christian Jope

NBA Betting Analyst

Expertise:
NBA
Betting Picks
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: [email protected]
Nationality: Canadian
Education: Bachelor of Arts (Applied Economics)
Favourite Sportsbook: FanDuel Sportsbook
Favourite Casino: BetMGM Casino
Experience: 6 years
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