Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA match.
After the disappointment of losing the NBA Finals last season, the Dallas Mavericks made some targeted offseason upgrades and have begun another push for the title. They've started the season brilliantly, securing three victories in their first four games. Their next opponents are the Houston Rockets, a team still finding their footing after a rebuild.
Dallas Mavericks
The Texans secured an impressive away victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last game (120:114). The pairing of Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić shone brightly, combining for 59 points and 13 assists. However, the Slovenian left the court with an injury during that game and is likely to miss the upcoming match. On average, the Mavericks have not been particularly explosive offensively, scoring only 113 points per game. Nevertheless, their defence ranks among the top 10 in the league, conceding just 109.8 points per game.
Houston Rockets
The visitors are just beginning to hit their stride. The Rockets may not be aiming for substantial success this season, but they are capable of contending for a playoff spot. They excel defensively, allowing an average of just 107 points per game, the fifth-best in the league. Offensively, however, they rank among the bottom ten teams, managing only 111.3 points per game.
Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Prediction
Bookmakers consider the hosts as the clear favourites in this matchup, yet we want to emphasise the playing styles of both teams, which can't be described as overly offensive at this stage. Furthermore, the Mavericks will likely have to play without their main star and scorer. Taking all these factors into account, we recommend focusing on the total points bet and expecting a low-scoring game.
