How can we bet tonight’s matchup against Houston?
From all of us here at Mavs Moneyball, Happy New Year! We’re blessed with being able to start 2025 with a quality matchup, featuring the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Houston Rockets. These two teams met up earlier this year, with Houston securing a 108-102 win in Dallas where they led wire to wire. New Years Day games are always difficult to figure out, especially in a city with the reputation that Houston has.
Beyond that, this is a difficult matchup to handicap due to the availability of several key players. Dallas remains without Luka Doncic (left calf) & Naji Marshall (serving third game of a four-game suspension), while Dereck Lively (hip) remains questionable. Houston finds itself potentially without both of the “Terror Twins”, as Amen Thompson is out (starting two-game suspension), while Tari Eason is questionable (lower leg injury management).
Game intangibles
Dallas Mavericks (20-13) vs Houston Rockets (21-11)
Tipoff: 7:00p from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas
How to watch: The game will be shown on KFAA Channel 29 & streamed on Mavs TV
Game odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook as of 12pm
Spread: Houston -5 (-112/-108)
Over/Under: 222.5 (-110/-110)
Moneyline: Dallas +164
Player props
PJ Washington over 12.5 points (-125)
Klay Thompson over 3.5 3 pointers made (+135)
Without Luka Doncic, PJ Washington continues to step up and fill some of the void in scoring. I think we’re getting a discount here since Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are returning to the lineup. I don’t think that discount is warranted, as I’m happy to take this. For Klay, a day off should help his legs and allow him to get into his shots. I expect a good night from him tonight.
Game pick: Under 222.5 (-110)
We saw these teams play to 210 total points earlier this year with even more offensive talent available on the floor. First to 100 points gets it done here tonight, which points me towards the under.