Two teams who have made relatively decent starts to the 2024-25 NBA season will go head-to-head at the American Airlines Center on Friday as the Dallas Mavericks face off against the Houston Rockets.
Both teams head into this one off the back of respective victories as the Mavericks fended off the challenge of the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Rockets were too strong for the San Antonio Spurs.
Match preview
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In a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals, the Dallas Mavericks took to the court against the Timberwolves in Thursday's meeting at Target Center aiming to secure consecutive wins for the first time this season.
Despite a 24-point first-quarter salvo from Anthony Edwards, Jason Kidd's men held a narrow two-point lead at half time before Kyrie Irving took over in the second half with 25 points to take his tally for the game to 35 and inspire his side to a 120-114 triumph.
All-star guard Luka Doncic endured another rough shooting night, making just 10 of his 27 shots from the field, but he was impactful in other areas after falling just two rebounds and one assist shy of a triple-double.
Following earlier wins over the San Antonio Spurs and the Utah Jazz, the Mavericks are now 3-1 to start the new campaign despite a rough pre-season journey that saw them lose three of their four warm-up fixtures.
The Mavericks were 4-1 after five games last time out and now have the opportunity to equal that record when they entertain the Houston Rockets in the first of five straight home matches.
Friday's hosts have fared pretty well against their visitors of late with six victories from the last seven editions of this fixture—most recently a 147-136 overtime thriller in April's matchup.
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Two days after suffering an agonising 109-106 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, the Houston Rockets wasted no time exacting revenge when the teams renewed hostilities at the Frost Bank Center on Tuesday.
Jalen Green continued his blistering start to the season with a 36-point performance to lead his side in scoring, while Alperen Sengun chipped in with a third double-double so far having notched 12 points and as many rebounds.
Green's tally of 28.8 points per game is the fourth-most by a guard this term and ninth in the league overall as the 2021 number-two draft pick looks to build upon his fine form to close out last season.
A 2-2 record over four regular-season games so far certainly represents a decent return for a Rockets side currently boasting one of the youngest starting fives in the NBA, with three of their starters aged 22 or below.
With assignments against the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks to come after Friday's trip to Texas, Ime Udoka's men will need to bring their A game at both ends of the court heading into a daunting run of games.
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Team News
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Maxi Kleber remains unavailable for the Dallas Mavericks through a right hamstring injury, although the German is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.
Dante Exum is out for the next few months after having surgery on his wrist, while Jazian Gortman will not play any part due to his designation with G-League outfit Texas Legends.
Luka Doncic shrugged off an injury concern to last the full course of the game against the Timberwolves and will be expected to suit up for Friday's encounter.
The Houston Rockets have everybody fit for this game after Steven Adams made his long-awaited comeback from knee and calf injuries against the Spurs.
While Adams is not expected to compete for a starting role, the 31-year-old New Zealander will be tasked with playing backup to Alperen Sengun and anchoring the defence when the bench players are in action.
Dallas Mavericks possible starting five:
Doncic, Irving; Thompson, Washington; Gafford
Houston Rockets possible starting five:
Green, VanVleet; Brooks, Smith; Sengun
We say: Mavericks to win by 7+ points
The Dallas Mavericks are showing no signs of slowing down after their run to the NBA finals last season before eventually losing out to the Boston Celtics.
We can see them breezing past the Houston Rockets to make it three wins from three on home court.
Adepoju Marvellous
