The Houston Rockets (32-19) and Dallas Mavericks (27-25) will meet in the NBA this afternoon, with Anthony Davis expected to make his debut for his new team in today. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Mavericks are 3-point favorites over the Rockets on the spread (Mavericks -3), with the over/under set at 228 total points. Dallas is a -148 favorite to win outright, while Houston is +124 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, February 8.
Rockets vs. Mavericks Prediction, Picks
Spread
This isn't an ordinary ass NBA game for an abundance of reasons.
You have the Mavericks injecting Anthony Davis into the mix for his debut with the team. You also have the team's first game in Dallas since January 27 — well before trading Luka Doncic last weekend.
Plus, you're going to have a ton of pissed off fans, who might even go as far as booing the home team in this afternoon spot against an inner-state rival.
On the other hand, the Rockets are slipping. They've lost five straight games, four of which have been on the road, and two of those were against the pesky Brooklyn Nets, who keep winning games people don't think they will.
The spread is a stay-away spot for me. Houston at +3.5 is tempting in a get-right spot, but I don't actually think Dallas is going to be instantly terrible. The trade won't age well, but they could be good if healthy down the stretch.
Moneyline
The moneyline is a Rockets-or-nothing spot for me as hinted at above. As of this writing, it's a no play for me, even though I really want to, but the five-game losing streak has me skittish, and parsing through the film and the numbers isn't encouraging either.
And, with Dallas in a potentially hostile situation, they're nearly -200, so no thanks.
Over/Under
This feels like it should be an Under, doesn't it? However, Dallas games have gone Over in eight of their last nine, and the vaunted Rockets defense has shown slippage, allowing 120 or more in three of their last five.
It's a stay-away from me, but I do like a player prop.
My Pick: Anthony Davis Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds (-150)
Rockets vs. Mavericks Odds, Spread, Over/Under
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 228 -110 / -110 | +124 |
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 228 -110 / -110 | -148 |
- Rockets vs. Mavericks spread: Mavericks -3
- Rockets vs. Mavericks over/under: 228 total points
- Rockets vs. Mavericks moneyline: Rockets +124, Mavericks -148
- Rockets vs. Mavericks best bet: Anthony Davis Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds
My Mavericks vs. Rockets best bet is on Anthony Davis Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Preview
We'll take a flier on the new guy.
Anthony Davis went for 30, 13 and two with five blocks against the Rockets in his only game against them this season back on January 5.
He'll obviously be motivated to prove his worth during this run with the Rockets, but people forget this is, when healthy, AD is an All-NBA talent who is an elite two-way player and a future Hall of Famer.
And in this game, in which Dereck Lively will remain out, Davis — starting beside Daniel Gafford — will have the platform to make an immediate impression across from Alperen Sengun.
I also sneaky like PJ Washington Under 7.5 Rebounds as well, but I'd refrain from parlaying the two.
The latter is more of something I'm monitoring, as Washington is expected to slide to the three now.
I liked it as a play at 8.5 more, but it has moved since then.
Best Bet: Anthony Davis Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds (-150)
