Tip-off: Friday, 8:35 p.m. ET
Line: Dallas -3.0, Total: 211.0

The Mavericks look to beat the Rockets for the first time this season when the teams meet in Dallas Friday.

The Mavericks beat the Jazz 87-82 as 5-point home favorites before the All-Star break, but were blown out by Oklahoma City on Thursday in their first game back. Dallas has now won three of its past five games and six of its past nine SU. The team is 4-4-1 ATS in those games and now looks to beat a Rockets team that is coming off of a 110-95 defeat as three-point road underdogs versus the Clippers before the break. Houston had won-and-covered in three of its previous four games before the loss and entered the All-Star break after having won seven of its past 10 games SU. The Rockets have gotten the best of the Mavericks recently, winning three straight games in this head-to-head series SU and ATS. Prior to a loss at home this season though, the Mavericks had won seven straight games against the Rockets in Dallas SU. They are 8-2 SU and 6-3-1 ATS when hosting the Rockets in their past 10 meetings. The Rockets have done very well ATS versus the Western Conference this season, covering in 19 of their 33 games. Houston is also 6-1 SU and ATS when playing on three or more day’s rest. Dallas has been awful against the West, going just 18-15 SU and 11-19-3 ATS versus their conference opponents. Amar’e Stoudemire (Acquired) is doubtful for the Mavericks. The Rockets, meanwhile, are without C Dwight Howard (Knee). SG K.J. McDaniels (Acquired) and PG Pablo Prigioni (Acquired) are both questionable.

The Rockets head into this meeting with the Mavericks looking to stay perfect against Dallas this season. Houston made some nice moves at the trade deadline, picking up SG K.J. McDaniels (9.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG) and PG Pablo Prigioni (4.7 PPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 SPG) to boost their bench for the postseason. They likely won’t play in this game though, as they’ll need to travel to Dallas and pass physicals in order to be cleared. SG James Harden (27.4 PPG, 6.8 APG, 5.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG) has played like an MVP this season, and is averaging 24.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 6.0 APG in two games against the Mavericks on the year. Harden has a major strength advantage compared to SG Monta Ellis (19.5 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.9 SPG) and will need to use his body to draw fouls against him. With C Dwight Howard (16.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 1.4 BPG) out, PF Donatas Motiejunas (11.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG) will need to have a big game against Dallas. He’s played well against the team this season, averaging 15.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG in 35.5 MPG in their two meetings. Motiejunas is a very craft scorer around the basket and he can knock down jumpers as well. He should be able to put enough pressure on the Dallas frontcourt to give his guards a chance to attack the rim. SF Trevor Ariza (12.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 SPG) is going to be crucial in this game. Ariza shot the ball terribly against the Clippers, finishing with 13 points (4-for-13 FG, 1-for-9 3PT) in 37 minutes. He is counted on to knock down outside shots for this team and can’t afford to miss his open looks like he did in Los Angeles. PG Patrick Beverley (10.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SPG) is going to need to play some excellent defense on PG Rajon Rondo in this game.

The Mavericks looked miserable against the Thunder on Thursday night and the team couldn’t get anything going offensively. PG Rajon Rondo (8.7 PPG, 8.6 APG, 6.2 RPG, 1.6 SPG) returned to the court after suffering fractures in his face a few weeks ago. He had just five points and six assists in 29 minutes of action and could not do anything to stop Russell Westbrook, who went off for 34 points and 10 assists in the game. Rondo will need to make things happen for his team in this one, as they can’t keep up with the Rockets’ offense if he is not doing a good job of running the offense. SG Monta Ellis continues to slump for the Mavericks lately. He had just seven points (2-for-13 FG, 1-for-5 3PT) in what was a lousy shooting night, but he did have six steals and four assists. Ellis has, however, played very well against the Rockets this season with 25.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.5 APG and 1.0 SPG in 37.0 MPG in their previous two meetings. He’ll need to play well against James Harden or the Mavericks could get blown out once again. PF Dirk Nowitzki (18.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG) struggled against the Thunder last game, finishing with just 14 points (6-for-16 FG, 0-for-3 3PT) and four rebounds in 31 minutes. Nowitzki has also struggled against the Rockets this season, averaging just 12.5 PPG (28% FG, 17% 3PT) and 6.0 RPG in 31.0 MPG. He’ll need to find his touch soon, as this team could slide in the standings if he is not performing. C Tyson Chandler (10.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG) had 10 points and 13 rebounds in 33 minutes against Oklahoma City. It was his first game back since injuring his ankle and he’ll look to provide a big inside presence against a Rockets team that is depleted at center. SF Chandler Parsons (15.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG) is averaging 14.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 1.0 SPG in two games against his former team this season. He’ll need to play solid defense on Trevor Ariza and also use his size to get some opportunities at the charity stripe on offense.