Mavericks vs Rockets Preview, Injury Report, and Game Thread: New Year, New Mavs?

Dallas has a chance to gain ground in the West

The Dallas Mavericks (20-13) are on the road for New Year’s Day, facing off against the Houston Rockets (21-11). Dallas could use a win, having lost three of their last four games in rather frustrating fashion. The Rockets have dropped their last two; they gave up a massive comeback to the Timberwolves and then lost to the Miami Heat, a game which had some ejections following a kerfuffle. Here’s the main things to know:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets
• WHAT: Searching for win
• WHERE: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
• WHEN: 7:00 p.m. CST
• HOW: Channel 29, MavsTV, and Playback with Kirk, Matthew, and David

The Mavericks injury report is familiar. Kyrie Irving isn’t on the list, which is good. Luka Doncic and Dante Exum are on it of course with their long term injuries. Naji Marshall is serving his suspension still. Dereck Lively is again listed as questionable with the hip injury he suffered Christmas Day. Amen Thompson is suspended for this contest, following his role in the Miami fracas. Tari Eason is listed as questionable with a lower leg injury.

The Rockets are really good, they play suffocating defense. Dallas has a tough test on the road and if you want to read more about it, check out the longer preview here as well as the betting post. I expect a spirited, sloppy game. If you still need more reading, Brent wrote a thoughtful post I recommend. Last, Tyler wrote on the factors to surviving these Luka-less games.

As you can tell below, you can join me and some other Mavs Moneyball guys in a room on Playback (embedded below) during the game (though I may not be able to start it until halftime). Also, consider joining Josh and I on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start around 9:45 pm. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!