Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Prediction: Injury Report, Starting 5s, Betting Odds & Picks - December 23

The Dallas Mavericks will take a road trip but remain in Texas when they head to Houston tonight to take on the Houston Rockets. The Rockets won the first meeting between these teams back in November, leaving Dallas with a 101-92 victory.

The Rockets hope they can do the same tonight, as they are currently amid a four-game losing streak that has put them back in the Western Conference cellar. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have been hovering around .500 all month and haven't won consecutive games in over two weeks.

This game could prove pivotal for both teams mentally, so let's see how they stack up ahead of tonight's clash.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Match Details

Fixture: Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets

Date and Time: Friday, December 23, 8:00 p.m. EDT

Venue: Toyota Center

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Injury Report

Both teams have a lot of players out for this game.

The Mavericks are going to be without Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Maxi Kleber, and Kemba Walker at least. Frank Ntilikina may also be unavailable with a knee injury.

The Rockets will be playing without Eric Gordon and Jae'Sean Tate. Garrison Mathews has a non-Covid illness and is questionable for them as well.

Player	Team	Injury	Status
Dorian Finney-Smith	Mavericks	Adductor	Out
Josh Green	Mavericks	Elbow	Out
Jaden Hardy	Mavericks	Back	Out
Maxi Kleber	Mavericks	Hamstring	Out
Frank Ntilikina	Mavericks	Knee	Questionable
Kemba Walker	Mavericks	Knee	Out
Eric Gordon	Rockets	Thumb	Out
Garrison Mathews	Rockets	Illness	Questionable
Jae'Sean Tate	Rockets	Ankle	Out

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Betting Odds

Team	Spread	Total	Money Line
Dallas Mavericks	-7.0 (-110)	Over 219.5 (-110)	-275
Houston Rockets	+7.0 (-110)	Under 219.5 (-110)	+230

Odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

If you bet $5+ on any sports pre-game money line, you can get $150 if your bet wins at DraftKings Sportsbook

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Starting 5s

Dallas - PG: Luka Doncic, SG: Spencer Dinwiddie, SF: Tim Hardaway Jr., PF: Reggie Bullock, C: Christian Wood

Houston - PG: Kevin Porter Jr., SG: Jalen Green, SF: Kenyon Martin Jr., PF: Jabari Smith Jr., C: Alperen Sengun

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets Prediction

While the Rockets won round one and held Dallas to their worst offensive performance of the season, there's a major difference this time around. Luka Doncic is suiting up tonight, unlike the meeting in November. He's the catalyst for that offense and should provide them a significant boost on that end. Defensively, Dallas is one of the best in the league.

That doesn't even factor in Houston's recent woes amid their four-game slide. All four losses have come at home, and the two most recent were against teams that are toward the bottom of the standings this season. The Mavericks should coast to a win tonight.