Posted on
3/6/2008 3:37:35 PM
Basketball Betting Odds - Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks
By Eric Williams
While the Houston Rockets, (30-20 SU, 35-24-1 ATS, 25-34-1 O/U), are undoubtedly the hottest team in the NBA, winning 16 consecutive games coming into tonight’s matchup, the Dallas Mavericks, (39-22 SU, 25-32-4 ATS, 30-30-1 O/U), have struggled with consistency all season long and are currently in the midst of trying to incorporate veteran point guard Jason Kidd into their offense.
The Mavericks have dropped two consecutive games and three of four coming into this matchup, including a solid 116-110 loss to the Utah Jazz on the road on Monday.
The Rockets, who set a new franchise record for consecutive wins with their 16th straight win, will get a bit of a break when they face the Mavericks, as all-star forward Dirk Nowitzki will sit out the contest while serving a one-game suspension for his flagrant foul, (cheap shot?) on Utah forward Andrei Kirilenko.
The Rockets’ latest victory was a 117-99 win over the Indiana Pacers last night in which high-scoring swingman Tracy McGrady scored 25 points and rejuvenated point guard Rafer Alston added 21 points.
"This was a big win for us, we were trying to make history," said McGrady.
Rockets forward Shane Battier said the team wouldn’t be looking past their opponents tonight because of their milestone accomplishment.
"I think most of us are already focused on Dallas," said Battier.
The Mavericks, who are seeking to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season, are a respectable 5-4-1 against the spread in their last ten games while the Rockets have covered the spread in eight consecutive games and nine of their last ten.,
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends followed by my analysis and NBA Wagering Free Picks:
The Rockets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Rockets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
The Mavericks are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Mavericks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.
The Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Over is 6-0 in Mavericks last 6 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
The Rockets are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Dallas.
Analysis: Though the Dallas Mavericks will undoubtedly put up a good fight, even without Nowitzki, I say take the Houston Rockets to continue their torrid winning streak with a close victory over the Mavericks tonight. An even better wager may be to take the ‘Over’ NBA bettors.
NBA Free Picks: Houston +1½ Points/Over 184 Total Points
09:35 PM EST Basketball Lines
Houston Rockets +1½ -110
Dallas Mavericks -1½ -110
Over 184 -110
Under 184 -110
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