NBA Playoffs
Western Conference - First Round
Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:35 p.m. ET
Line: Houston -6.0, Total: 215.5

The Rockets look to take a 2-0 series lead when they host the Mavericks in Game 2 on Tuesday.

Game 1 of this series was a true roller coaster, as the Mavericks fought back from big deficits twice in the game but ultimately lost 118-108 as 5.5-point underdogs. The Rockets outrebounded the Mavericks 60-58 and shot 10-for-25 from the outside in the game. They also forced the Mavericks to commit 17 turnovers and that type of sloppy play will make it difficult on any team to win a game. Over the past three seasons, the Rockets are now 5-2 both SU and ATS when hosting the Mavericks. Five of those seven games have gone Over the total and another high-scoring affair could be expected on Tuesday. Dallas is 14-4 ATS in road games in April over the past three seasons and 32-15 ATS in road games after failing to cover two of its past three during that time. Houston, however, is 35-20 ATS after playing a game as a favorite this season and 13-3 ATS in home games when playing with two days of rest over the past two seasons. SF Chandler Parsons (Knee) and PG Devin Harris (Toe) are questionable for the Mavericks and the Rockets aer without SF K.J. McDaniels (Elbow), PF Donatas Motiejunas (Back) and PG Patrick Beverley (Wrist) for the series and likely the rest of the year.

The Mavericks did some good things in Game 1, but they fought from behind throughout and will need to get off to a better start on Tuesday. PF Dirk Nowitzki (17.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG) was outstanding for the Mavericks in the loss and was one of the only reasons the team was in the game. Nowitzki had 24 points and eight boards on 10-for-14 shooting from the field. He’ll need to continue to make shots this series, as the Mavericks are going to struggle to score points with SF Chandler Parsons (15.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG) banged up. SG Monta Ellis (18.9 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG) had 16 points, four assists and two steals in 39 minutes in Game 1. He did, however, shoot just 5-for-16 from the field and must be more efficient in Game 3. He also picked up five fouls and must be more disciplined when guarding James Harden. PG Rajon Rondo (8.9 PPG, 7.9 APG, 5.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG) had 15 points and five assists in 27 minutes in the game. Rondo will need to continue to be aggressive going to the basket and also must play better defensively on Tuesday. C Tyson Chandler (10.3 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG) had 11 points, 18 rebounds and a block in 31 minutes of action in Game 1. He’ll need to continue to defend the rim and control the glass in this series. His matchup with Dwight Howard is very taxing, so it’s also important that he remains fresh and doesn’t pick up fouls when he gets tired.

The Rockets were able to take a 1-0 series lead and SG James Harden (27.4 PPG, 7.0 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.9 SPG) played outstanding in the opening game. The Rockets’ superstar had 24 points and 11 assists on only 11 field goal attempts, as he went to the line 17 times and knocked down 15 of those tries. He’ll need to continue to use his combination of strength and quickness to bully Monta Ellis when he drives to the basket. C Dwight Howard (15.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.3 BPG) picked up five fouls in 17 minutes in the game, but he was dominant when he was on the court. Howard had 11 points, five rebounds and five blocks in the game and must stay on the court longer in Game 2. If he is not playing then it will be easy for Tyson Chandler to tip the game in the Mavericks’ favor. As has been the case for Houston all season, the role players have really stepped up when they are needed. SG Jason Terry (7.0 PPG) has had to start out of necessity recently and he was huge in the game, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes of action. He is an outstanding outside shooter (39% 3PT) and was knocking down threes whenever he saw an inch of open space. SF Corey Brewer (11.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG) also played a big game, scoring 15 points in just 24 minutes. He hit some timely threes down the stretch and will need to provide some solid minutes again on Tuesday.