Dallas Hosts Houston in NBA Showdown with Playoff Implications
NBA action in the Western Conference heads to Dallas for a Battle of the Lone Star State on Wednesday night when the Houston Rockets visit the Dallas Mavericks. The current line has Houston favored by 2 points with the over/under point total on 207.5.
Entering this game, Houston has an overall record for the season of 38-39 straight up and 34-43 against the spread. On the road, the Rockets are 17-22 SU and 19-20 ATS.
Dallas on the season is 39-38 SU and 42-34 ATS. At home, the Mavericks are 21-17 SU and ATS.
A fight for the final spots for the playoffs in the Western Conference sees a head-to-head altercation when Dallas hosts Houston. Dallas is in seventh place one game in front of Houston. The Rockets are currently in ninth place looking in with only the top eight teams qualifying for the postseason.
The Rockets, Mavericks and Utah Jazz are all fighting for the seventh and eighth spot in the playoff hunt. Dallas was in ninth place before winning four straight behind strong defense as the Mavs have allowed just an average of 86 points per game during their run.
J.J. Barea has taken the spot of the injured Deron Williams and averaged 23.4 points and 6.7 assists per games during the four-game win streak.
Houston has managed to play well for the big games during the playoff rush and is 3-2 over their five games played. The three wins were against the Raptors, Cavaliers and Thunder.
On Sunday, Houston beat the Thunder by 8 points behind 41 points from James Harden. Houston has five games left in the regular season. After Dallas, the Rockets play four games against teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Dallas is not sure, when the injured Williams will be back and is without the services of Chandler Parsons the rest of the season.
Dallas star forward Dirk Nowitzki is shooting just 21 for 76 over his past four games.
Shooting forward Trevor Ariza has averaged 15.2 points per game over his past four games.
Houston has won two of the past three head-to-head games with Dallas, including a 4-point win on December 4 in Dallas.
Prediction: Dallas is playing extremely well of late with its four straight wins. Houston is up and down. Dallas will be on its home court which should help them down the stretch in a close battle. Lean on Dallas here.
