Rockets Defeat Mavericks in High-Scoring Contest
Friday, October 9, 2026, 8:00 AM ET · Venetian Arena
Houston Rockets 135, Dallas Mavericks 117, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks?
Houston Rockets beat Dallas Mavericks 135-117 at Venetian Arena on October 9, 2026.
Who was favored in Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks?
Houston Rockets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling NBA matchup, the Houston Rockets triumphed over the Dallas Mavericks with a final score of 135 to 117 at the Venetian Arena. This victory marks the Rockets' strong start to the season, improving their record to 1-0, while the Mavericks fell to 0-1. The game showcased Houston's offensive prowess, as they averaged 123.6 points per game in their last ten outings, significantly outpacing Dallas's average of 116.8 points.
The Rockets have been in impressive form, boasting a record of 9-1 over their last ten games, including a current winning streak of one. Their scoring average during this stretch has been 123.6 points, while they have allowed just 108.4 points per game. In contrast, the Mavericks have struggled recently, recording a 3-7 mark in their last ten games, with an average of 116.8 points scored and 124.3 points allowed. Dallas's recent performance includes a win against the Chicago Bulls, but they have also suffered losses against teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns.
When considering home and away performance, the Mavericks have a home record of 2-2, while the Rockets have excelled on the road with a perfect 4-0 record. This game added to the competitive history between the two teams, which stands at 2-2 in their last four meetings this season. Their previous encounters included a close matchup on February 1, where the Mavericks lost 107-111 and a home victory on January 4, where they won 110-104.
In terms of injuries, the Mavericks faced challenges with several players listed as Day-To-Day, including Marcus Sasser (hip), P.J. Washington (ankle), Caleb Martin (illness), Dereck Lively II (foot), and Santi Aldama (knee). The absence or limited availability of these players could impact the Mavericks' performance as they look to rebound from this defeat.
The betting market reflected the competitive nature of this matchup, with DraftKings setting the odds at Houston -3.5, indicating a close contest anticipated by analysts. The total points over/under was set at 231.5, suggesting expectations for a high-scoring game, which ultimately came to fruition.
As the game progressed, the Rockets maintained a commanding lead, with notable scoring plays in the fourth quarter that kept the momentum in their favor. Bruce Thornton's layup and Quadir Copeland's free throws helped solidify the Rockets' advantage, while Tobi Lawal and Jett Howard of the Mavericks attempted to close the gap with their scoring efforts.
Overall, the matchup highlighted the Rockets' offensive capabilities and the Mavericks' need to address their defensive struggles moving forward. With the series set to continue on October 21, both teams will be looking to adjust and improve as the season unfolds.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets promises to be an engaging contest as both teams enter the new season with fresh ambitions. This game will take place at the Venetian Arena on October 9, 2026, marking the start of the series on October 21. With both teams holding a record of 0-0, the stakes are high as they look to establish a strong foundation for the season ahead.
The Mavericks finished their last ten games with a record of 3-7, but they are currently on a one-game winning streak. Their most recent game was a victory against the Chicago Bulls, where they won 149-128. In their last five games, the Mavericks averaged 122.6 points scored while allowing 124.6 points against. However, their overall defensive struggles are evident, as they averaged 124.3 points allowed in their last ten games. At home, the Mavericks have a balanced record of 2-2, while their away performance has been less favorable at 1-5.
On the other hand, the Rockets have displayed a much stronger form, boasting a record of 9-1 in their last ten games, with a current one-game winning streak as well. Their latest performance was a convincing win against the Memphis Grizzlies, where they triumphed 132-101. The Rockets have averaged 123.6 points scored and only 108.4 points allowed in their last ten games, showcasing their offensive prowess and solid defense. They have also been impressive on the road, holding a perfect away record of 4-0, while their home record stands at 5-1.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the series between these two teams is currently tied at 2-2 for the 2026 season. Their most recent encounter was on February 1, 2026, where the Mavericks lost 107-111 to the Rockets. Earlier in the season, the Mavericks secured victories in two meetings, winning 110-104 at home on January 4 and 122-109 at home on December 7. The Rockets also claimed an earlier win on November 4, 2025, defeating the Mavericks 110-102.
Injury concerns could play a role in this matchup, particularly for the Mavericks. Santi Aldama is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed issue, while Dereck Lively II is also day-to-day due to a foot injury. The status of these players could impact the Mavericks' performance as they look to compete against a strong Rockets squad.
The betting market has the Rockets favored by 2.5 points, according to DraftKings, with a total set at 230.5 points. The odds for the Rockets to win straight up are -142, while the Mavericks are at +120. The spread indicates a closely contested game, and the total suggests that both teams could contribute to a high-scoring affair.
As the game approaches, viewers should keep an eye on the offensive strategies employed by both teams. The Mavericks will need to find a way to improve their defensive consistency, particularly against a Rockets team that has shown the ability to score in bunches. The performance of key players, especially in light of the injury concerns, will be crucial in determining the outcome of this matchup.
Overall, this fixture between the Mavericks and Rockets is set to be an exciting opener for both teams as they aim to kick off the season on a positive note.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -3.5 | 231.5 o -112 / u -108 | Houston Rockets -148 · Dallas Mavericks +124 |
Injury report
- Marcus SasserDay-To-DayHipDallas Mavericks
- P.J. WashingtonDay-To-DayAnkleDallas Mavericks
- Caleb MartinDay-To-DayIllnessDallas Mavericks
- Dereck Lively IIDay-To-DayFootDallas Mavericks
- Santi AldamaDay-To-DayKneeDallas Mavericks
Leaders
- PointsCooper Flagg19Dallas Mavericks
- AssistsDwight Powell8Dallas Mavericks
- ReboundsZaccharie Risacher8Dallas Mavericks
- PointsTari Eason20Houston Rockets
- AssistsAlperen Sengun10Houston Rockets
- ReboundsAlperen Sengun10Houston Rockets
Recent form
Dallas Mavericks
Last 10: 3-7Streak W1116.8 scored · 124.3 allowed per game2-2 at home
- W149-128vs Chicago BullsApr 13
- L120-139at San Antonio SpursApr 11
- L107-112at Phoenix SunsApr 9
- L103-116at LA ClippersApr 8
- W134-128vs Los Angeles LakersApr 5
- L127-138vs Orlando MagicApr 4
- L99-123at Milwaukee BucksApr 1
- L94-124vs Minnesota TimberwolvesMar 31
- W100-93at Portland Trail BlazersMar 28
- L135-142at Denver NuggetsMar 26
Houston Rockets
Last 10: 9-1Streak W1123.6 scored · 108.4 allowed per game4-0 away
- W132-101vs Memphis GrizzliesApr 13
- L132-136vs Minnesota TimberwolvesApr 11
- W113-102vs Philadelphia 76ersApr 10
- W119-105at Phoenix SunsApr 8
- W117-116at Golden State WarriorsApr 6
- W140-106vs Utah JazzApr 4
- W119-113vs Milwaukee BucksApr 2
- W111-94vs New York KnicksApr 1
- W134-102at New Orleans PelicansMar 29
- W119-109at Memphis GrizzliesMar 28
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | - | 0 | W1 | 1.000 | 1 |
| Memphis | 0.5 | 1 | L1 | .500 | 1 |
| New Orleans | 0.5 | 1 | L1 | .500 | 1 |
| San Antonio | 1 | 1 | L1 | .000 | 0 |
| Dallas | 1 | 1 | L1 | .000 | 0 |
Box score
| Stat | Houston Rockets | Dallas Mavericks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 47-86 | 44-94 |
| Field goal % | 55 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 18-36 | 18-51 |
| Three-point % | 50 | 35 |
| Free throws | 23-32 | 11-17 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 65 |
| Rebounds | 43 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 16 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 24 |
| Assists | 36 | 34 |
| Steals | 11 | 12 |
| Blocks | 4 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 21 | 18 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 29 | 27 |
| Fast-break points | 22 | 24 |
| Points in the paint | 54 | 50 |
| Fouls | 22 | 25 |
| Largest lead | 28 | 0 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 96 | 0 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter99-80Naji Marshall makes 12-foot driving floating jump shot (Dwight Powell assists)
- 4th Quarter101-80Tari Eason makes 9-foot fade away jump shot
- 4th Quarter101-83Naji Marshall makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jett Howard assists)
- 4th Quarter102-83Bogdan Bogdanovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter103-83Bogdan Bogdanovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter106-83Tari Eason makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bogdan Bogdanovic assists)
- 4th Quarter107-83Tari Eason makes free throw 1 of 3
- 4th Quarter108-83Tari Eason makes free throw 2 of 3
- 4th Quarter109-83Tari Eason makes free throw 3 of 3
- 4th Quarter111-83Reed Sheppard makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter111-86John Poulakidas makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jett Howard assists)
- 4th Quarter112-86Isaiah Crawford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter112-88Tobi Lawal makes 1-foot layup (Dwight Powell assists)
- 4th Quarter112-90Tobi Lawal makes 1-foot running dunk (Sergio de Larrea assists)
- 4th Quarter112-91Dwight Powell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter114-91Reed Sheppard makes two point shot (Bruce Thornton assists)
- 4th Quarter114-94Seth Lundy makes 22-foot three point jumper (Tarik Biberovic assists)
- 4th Quarter116-94Oscar Tshiebwe makes 2-foot layup (Bruce Thornton assists)
- 4th Quarter116-96Tobi Lawal makes 1-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter116-97Tobi Lawal makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter119-97Bruce Thornton makes 25-foot three point jumper (Quadir Copeland assists)
- 4th Quarter120-97Quadir Copeland makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter121-97Quadir Copeland makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter121-100Tarik Biberovic makes 25-foot three point jumper (Moussa Cisse assists)
- 4th Quarter122-100Oscar Tshiebwe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter122-102Jett Howard makes running layup (Sergio de Larrea assists)
- 4th Quarter123-102Bruce Thornton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter124-102Bruce Thornton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter124-105Sergio de Larrea makes 24-foot three point jumper (John Poulakidas assists)
- 4th Quarter126-105Oscar Tshiebwe makes 3-foot layup (Sean Pedulla assists)
- 4th Quarter129-105Bruce Thornton makes 25-foot running pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter129-106Jett Howard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter131-106Bruce Thornton makes 1-foot layup (Oscar Tshiebwe assists)
- 4th Quarter132-106Quadir Copeland makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter132-108Tobi Lawal makes 2-foot dunk (Jett Howard assists)
- 4th Quarter132-110Tobi Lawal makes running layup
- 4th Quarter132-113Jett Howard makes 23-foot running jump shot (Sergio de Larrea assists)
- 4th Quarter132-115Jett Howard makes running layup
- 4th Quarter135-115Bruce Thornton makes 23-foot three point jumper (Sean Pedulla assists)
- 4th Quarter135-117Sergio de Larrea makes 2-foot layup (Moussa Cisse assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Dallas Mavericks, below favours Houston Rockets.
Venue
- Venetian Arena
- OfficialsMarat Kogut, Jacyn Goble, Andy Nagy, Matt Myers
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