The Dallas Mavericks (33-34) are set to face off against a familiar foe on Friday night as they take on the Houston Rockets (41-25) at the Toyota Center. This matchup marks the third meeting between the two teams this season, with the Rockets having taken the first two contests.
Dallas is in the midst of a tough stretch, having lost three of their last four games. Despite this, they remain just a game and a half back of the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff standings. The Mavericks will be looking to get back on track against a Rockets team that has been one of the top performers in the conference all season.
The Rockets, meanwhile, are riding a three-game winning streak and are looking to extend their lead over the Utah Jazz for the fourth seed in the West. Led by the dynamic duo of James Harden and Russell Westbrook, Houston has been nearly unbeatable at home, boasting a 23-8 record at the Toyota Center.
In terms of injuries, the Mavericks will be without the services of Willie Cauley-Stein, who is expected to miss his second straight game with a knee injury. The Rockets, on the other hand, are expected to be at full strength, with Harden and Westbrook both listed as probable despite dealing with minor injuries.
Friday’s matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Western Conference. Can the Mavericks pull off the upset and get back on track, or will the Rockets continue to roll at home? Tune in to find out.
Injury Report:
- Mavericks: Willie Cauley-Stein (knee) – OUT
- Rockets: James Harden (ankle) – PROBABLE, Russell Westbrook (thumb) – PROBABLE
