Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Prediction | 01.31.26

Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 31-01-2026

The regular season brings a compelling Western Conference matchup as the Dallas Mavericks (19-29) travel to face the high-flying Houston Rockets (29-17) on January 31, 2026, at 8:30 PM EST. Hosted at the Toyota Center in Houston, this game pits a struggling Mavericks squad, decimated by injuries, against a Rockets team firmly entrenched in the playoff picture, looking to solidify their standing.

Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Matchup Preview

Dallas Mavericks Key Stats & Trends

The Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a challenging period, reflected by their sub-.500 record. Despite the team’s struggles, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg has been a revelation, leading the team with an impressive 19.5 points per game and an all-around rating of 19.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.8 BPG. P.J. Washington provides a steady presence on the boards, averaging 7.3 rebounds, while Ryan Nembhard orchestrates the offense with 4.9 assists. However, the team’s overall offensive and defensive schemes have been severely hampered by an unprecedented string of injuries to key personnel, making consistency a significant issue.

Injury Report Dallas Mavericks

• Anthony Davis (Out): A second opinion revealed Davis (finger) won’t require surgery, and he’ll be re-evaluated in six weeks.
• Dereck Lively II (Out): Lively successfully underwent surgery on his right foot Sunday.
• Kyrie Irving (Out): Irving (knee) remains out indefinitely and doesn’t have a return timetable.
• Dante Exum (Out): The Mavericks announced Thursday that Exum will undergo season-ending knee surgery.

Houston Rockets Key Stats & Trends

The Houston Rockets have established themselves as a formidable force in the West, boasting a strong 29-17 record. Led by superstar Kevin Durant, who averages a dominant 26.5 points per game and holds an overall rating of 26.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, and 0.9 BPG, the Rockets possess elite scoring. Alperen Sengun has emerged as a cornerstone, showcasing his versatile skill set with 9.1 rebounds and a team-high 6.3 assists per contest. Despite some key injuries, Houston’s balanced attack and home-court advantage make them a tough opponent.

Injury Report Houston Rockets

• Steven Adams (Out): The Rockets announced Wednesday that Adams has undergone season-ending left ankle surgery.
• Fred VanVleet (Out): VanVleet suffered a torn ACL and may be out for the entire 2025-26 campaign.

Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Prediction & Best Bet

Given the extensive injury list for the Dallas Mavericks, featuring the absence of star power like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Dante Exum, they face an uphill battle against a cohesive Houston Rockets squad. The Rockets, spearheaded by Kevin Durant’s scoring and Alperen Sengun’s all-around brilliance, are poised to dominate at home. However, an 11.5-point spread is significant. While Dallas is severely depleted, Cooper Flagg’s emergence and the “next man up” mentality can often lead to unexpected resilience. The Mavericks may struggle to win, but keeping the margin closer than expected is plausible. For our prediction, we lean towards the Dallas Mavericks +11.5 (Spread). With offensive talents like Durant and Flagg on the floor, even with other key players out, the game’s pace and scoring potential suggest the total points line of 220.5 is too conservative. We confidently pick the over for total points.