The Houston Rockets are one of the NBA’s hottest basketball teams, with 25-13 record, owners of a four game winning streak, and have won nine of their last 10 games. The Rockets also have won two straight on their current three game road swing. Tonight the Rockets can prove they belong with the elite of the Western Conference when they take on an even hotter team in the Dallas Mavericks, in the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The game tips off at 8:30 p.m., EST.
Dallas, the defending Western Conference champions have won 17 of their last 18 games and has been dominating the NBA for the past two months. Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 32.5 points in his last four games and Josh Howard has been building his case for All-Star consideration. Unsurprisingly, the Mavericks (31-8) own the NBA's best record.
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The Mavericks finished the 2005-06 season short of their goal and are playing like a team destined to win a title.
"Everything we do is directed for the playoffs," Nowitzki said. "All the film sessions, all the drills are to make us a better team for the playoffs. Obviously, coming short last year in the playoffs motivates us even more. It's a long road. You play 82 games, then start over and play 2½ months more of intense basketball. So we have a long road ahead of us."
In the last game on Sunday, Nowitzki scored 38 points and Josh Howard make the go-ahead layup with 0.9 seconds left to give the Mavericks a 97-96 win over the Toronto Raptors.
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The Rockets got 37 points and nine assists from Tracy McGrady to defeat the Sacramento Kings 115-111 in overtime on Sunday. Rafer Alston opened the overtime with a three-pointer and Houston never trailed in handing the Kings their third overtime loss in the last four games at Arco Arena.
The Mavericks have been installed as -7 ½ point favorites over the streaking Rockets with the total set at 181. The money is following the Mavericks in this game with 65% of bets both ML and side (ATS) going to Dallas. The OVER is favored on totals betting with 96% of public money going that way.
