Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Picks and Predictions February 8th 2025

Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets February 8th 2025

The Houston Rockets will travel to take on the Dallas Mavericks in a divisional matchup at the American Airlines Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 3:00 ET and will be televised on SCHN.

According to oddsmakers, the Mavericks are currently favored by 4.5 points. The over/under line for the game is sitting at 226.5 points.

Rockets vs. Mavericks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks
• Where: Dallas at American Airlines Center
• Date: Saturday, February 8th
• Betting Odds DAL -4.5, HOU +163 | DAL -195 O/U 226.5

The Rockets Can Win If…

The Rockets dropped to 32-19 on the season after a 127-114 road loss to the Timberwolves on Thursday. Houston entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 241, well over the pre-game line of 213.5.

Houston led 98-92 going into the 4th quarter but were outscored 35-16 in the final period, resulting in a 13-point loss.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 28 points and 6 rebounds in their 127-114 loss to the Timberwolves, shooting 40.9% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 37.5%. Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson each added 16 points, with Şengün also grabbing 10 rebounds and shooting 54.5%, while Thompson connected on 60% of his shots.

As a team, the Rockets shot 48.8% from the field and made 12 threes at a 38.7% clip. Green scored 10 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters, while Cam Whitmore put up 11 of his 16 points in the 3rd.

Defensively, the Rockets struggled against the Timberwolves, giving up 127 points on 47% shooting. They allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter, 34 in the 2nd, and 35 in the 4th, with their best defensive effort coming in the 3rd, where they gave up 26 points.

Houston had trouble defending the three-point line, as Minnesota hit 16 threes at a 41% clip. The Timberwolves also went 21/24 from the free-throw line. The Rockets allowed 18 offensive rebounds but recorded 12 steals and 7 blocks.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Rockets have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 6-4 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 117 points per game in these contests.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Rockets have a straight up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 4-1.
• Over their last five games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Mavericks Can Win If…

Dallas improved to 27-25 on the season with a 127-120 road win over Boston on Thursday. The Mavericks entered the game as +7 point underdogs and covered the spread with the win. The total score of 247 points exceeded the O/U line of 232 by 15 points.

Dallas took control with an 11-0 run early, turning a 29-23 deficit into a 34-29 lead. They built a 104-83 lead by the end of the 3rd quarter, outscoring Boston 37-27 in the 3rd. Boston rallied in the 4th, outscoring Dallas 37-23, but the Mavericks held on for the win.

The Mavericks shot 55.7% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range, hitting 15 threes in their win over the Celtics. Klay Thompson led the way with 25 points, including 13 in the 2nd quarter, while Spencer Dinwiddie added 22 points, shooting 70% from the field.

Naji Marshall contributed 20 points, with 7 coming in the 3rd quarter, and Kyrie Irving added 19, scoring 8 in the 4th. Dante Exum and Max Christie each finished with 15 points, with Christie scoring 6 in the final period.

Even with a shaky defensive performance, the Mavericks managed to hold off the Celtics, allowing 120 points on 51% shooting. Dallas gave up 23 points in the 1st quarter and 27 in the 3rd but struggled in the 2nd and 4th, where they allowed 33 and 37 points, respectively.

From beyond the arc, the Mavericks allowed Boston to hit 16 threes at a 43% clip. They sent the Celtics to the line 15 times, where they made 12 free throws. Dallas finished with 27 defensive rebounds, giving up 11 offensive boards, while also recording 9 steals and 4 blocks.

• When looking at their past three home matchups, Dallas has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 114 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• Through their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Mavericks have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 1-1-1.
• In their last five games, the Mavericks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Not only do we have the Mavericks winning this one by a score of 135-101, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Mavericks at -4.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 226.5 and given that our model is projecting 236 points between the teams, we like the over.

Uncertainty Surrounds Mavericks as They Return Home Without Doncic

Saturday’s game in Dallas isn’t just another matchup—it’s the beginning of a new era for the Mavericks. For the first time since their franchise-altering trade, Dallas will take the court at home without Luka Doncic, hosting the Houston Rockets in what promises to be an emotionally charged atmosphere.

Doncic’s departure to the Los Angeles Lakers has left Mavs fans stunned, and their displeasure has been impossible to ignore. Since the trade was finalized on Feb. 1, spontaneous memorials of Doncic jerseys, posters, and even a symbolic coffin have appeared outside the arena. The frustration has gone as far as profane graffiti directed at the front office, prompting the team to announce additional security measures for Saturday’s game.

With emotions running high, veteran guard Klay Thompson, one of the team’s new leaders, understands the challenge ahead.

“I don’t know what to expect. I know Luka was so dear to every Mavs fan’s heart,” Thompson said. “We’ve just got to win, and do it on a consistent basis, and give ourselves a chance to win the whole thing, and I think that will ease all of the fans’ pain and anger. It’s going to be weird, but that’s what we sign up for.”

Despite the off-court turmoil, the Mavericks impressed in their first post-Doncic test, stunning the league-leading Boston Celtics with a 127-120 road victory on Thursday. Thompson led the charge with 25 points, while Spencer Dinwiddie and Naji Marshall combined for 42 off the bench.

Anthony Davis Set to Make Mavericks Debut

The Mavericks’ shakeup wasn’t just about losing Doncic—it was also about gaining one of the league’s most dominant big men. All-NBA center Anthony Davis, acquired in the blockbuster trade, is expected to make his Dallas debut after recovering from an abdominal strain.

Davis last played on Jan. 28, but his presence immediately changes the Mavericks’ outlook. His defensive prowess and ability to control the paint will be crucial as Dallas looks to reshape its identity.

The Mavericks are also waiting on the return of forward P.J. Washington, who has missed two straight games due to personal reasons. His status for Saturday remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, head coach Jason Kidd remains focused on integrating his new pieces and tuning out the noise.

“Our sympathy goes to the fans, and understanding they can be upset,” Kidd said. “But at the same time, as a coach, the guys that I have, we have to put them in position to be successful against Houston, and that’s all I’m focused on.”

Rockets Struggling to Regain Their Identity

While the Mavericks deal with their roster changes, the Rockets arrive in Dallas desperate to snap a five-game losing streak. Houston’s latest setback, a 127-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, exposed their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they were outscored 35-16.

Head coach Ime Udoka didn’t hold back in his postgame assessment.

“The identity we’ve kind of formed was being a tougher team, an aggressive team, and now we look like one of the softest teams in the league,” Udoka said. “(We need to) guard like we’re capable.”

Adding to Houston’s struggles, injuries have disrupted their lineup. Guard Fred VanVleet (ankle) and forward Jabari Smith Jr. (hand) both missed Thursday’s game, and their availability for Saturday remains in question.

Despite the losing streak, the Rockets have shown flashes of promise. Seven players scored in double figures against Minnesota, led by Jalen Green’s 28-point performance. Houston still boasts a respectable 17-10 road record, and they’ll look to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding the Mavericks.

Dive into the Latest NBA Scoring Leader Race with Updated Odds and Expert Analysis

A Game Full of Unknowns

Saturday’s showdown between the Mavericks and Rockets is about more than just standings—it’s about defining the future for both teams.

For Dallas, it’s a chance to prove they can compete at a high level without Doncic, and to show that the addition of Davis can keep them in the championship conversation. For Houston, it’s an opportunity to reclaim their defensive intensity and snap their recent skid before heading into a crucial homestand.

The Mavericks’ new era begins now—but how their fans will react, and how the team will respond, remains the biggest question of all.