Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks: Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick

OddsShark.comJan 24, 2018

The Houston Rockets (33-12) will look to extend their winning streak to four games on Wednesday when they visit the Dallas Mavericks (16-31) as solid road favorites.

The Rockets have won three straight against potential playoff teams in the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, while the Mavericks own the second-worst record in the West.

Point spread: The Rockets opened as 6.5-point favorites; the total is at 217, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

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NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 109.2-107.0, Rockets (NBA picks on every game)

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Why the Rockets can cover the spread

Houston has also won six of its last seven games, going 5-2 against the spread during that stretch.

The Rockets have won the past five meetings with Dallas as well (4-1 ATS), along with seven of the previous eight. They have met only once this season, with Houston winning in a 107-91 rout on October 21 as a 10.5-point home favorite behind 29 points from James Harden.

Chris Paul sat out that game too due to a knee injury, and the Mavericks needed to outscore the Rockets 33-15 in the fourth quarter just to stay within 20 points of them.

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: Clint Capela #15 and Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets talk during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 21, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

Layne Murdoch/Getty Images

Why the Mavericks can cover the spread

Dallas is coming off a 98-75 blowout of the Washington Wizards as a 2.5-point home underdog on Monday, snapping a three-game skid.

The Mavericks have now covered four of their last six games with a 9-4 ATS mark in their past 13 dating back to December 26.

Over that period, they have earned seven of their 16 wins on the season while losing just six times. In other words, the team is playing better than any point this year and is capable of continuing that trend here by covering or winning again.

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 22: Yogi Ferrell #11 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on January 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

Glenn James/Getty Images

Smart betting pick

Houston has actually performed better on the road, going 15-6 straight up and 12-9 ATS (compared to 10-13-1 at home). The Rockets seem to have less distractions away from home, although that was not the case when they visited the Los Angeles Clippers on January 15.

That is one of their two road losses in January, and they had three away from home in all of December.

In the first of two nationally televised road games, bet on Houston to continue its dominance of Dallas and cover the spread on the Vegas odds in the process.

NBA betting trends

Houston is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games.

Houston is 3-6 ATS in its last nine games on the road.

The total has gone under in five of Dallas' last seven games.

All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.