The big picture

Houston Rockets come in 8th on the ladder; Dallas Mavericks are 12th. Houston Rockets have the higher position to protect.

Houston Rockets are 7–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 117.9 points for and 107.6 against.

Dallas Mavericks are 5–4 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 112.1 points for and 110.9 against.

Form

Houston Rockets have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 107–117.

Dallas Mavericks have won three of their last five and most recently beat Utah Jazz 112–100.

Head to head

These sides have met 111 times on our records since 2001: Houston Rockets 48, Dallas Mavericks 63.

Last time out (2026-27), Dallas Mavericks won 116–111 at American Airlines Center.

Biggest margin between these two: Dallas Mavericks by 40 points in 2004-05 (116–76).

Players to watch

For Houston Rockets, watch Alperen Sengun (22.4 points a game, 64 rebounds in 2026-27) and Kevin Durant (20.8 points a game, 47 rebounds in 2026-27).

For Dallas Mavericks, watch Cooper Flagg (23.9 points a game, 54 rebounds in 2026-27) and Kyrie Irving (21.4 points a game, 26 rebounds in 2026-27).

At Toyota Center (Houston)

Houston Rockets have won 15 of their last 22 at Toyota Center (Houston).

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Houston Rockets have the edge.