In the first matchup pitting Christian Wood against his former team, the Houston Rockets (2-12) travel to Dallas for Wednesday night’s divisional showdown against the Mavericks (8-5). It’s the first meeting of the 2022-23 NBA season between the Texas rivals.
If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research for the Rockets-Mavs clash, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at BetMGM.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Central and can be seen via AT&T SportsNet Southwest (in Houston markets) or on NBA League Pass.
From a Rockets perspective, part of the apparent motivation for trading Wood to Dallas in June was to open up more playing time for promising second-year center Alperen Sengun. To this point, Sengun has justified that confidence, as evidenced by his averages of 16.1 points (57.4% FG) and 8.7 rebounds in 26.5 minutes.
Yet, even with those gaudy numbers, the Rockets are an NBA worst 2-12 as a team. The Mavericks, on the other hand, are 8-5 and tracking for an eventual spot in the 2023 playoffs. It helps to have perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic leading the way, though he’s out versus Houston due to it being the second night of a back-to-back. That makes Wednesday’s point spread closer than it would normally be.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Mavericks -6.5
- Money line: Mavericks -250 / Rockets +200
- Over-under: 218.5
Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.
Rockets at Mavericks injury report:
- Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate out (right ankle soreness), Bruno Fernando out (left knee soreness), Jalen Green questionable (right shoulder soreness)
- Mavericks: Luka Doncic out (rest), Maxi Kleber out (low back contusion), JaVale McGee out (neck strain)
Advice and prediction
If there’s any silver lining for Sengun, Jalen Green, and the Rockets, it’s that Dallas is on night two of a back-to-back after facing the Clippers on Tuesday. As a result, the Mavs are without a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate in Doncic. The Rockets, on the other hand, haven’t played since losing to Los Angeles on Monday.
Then again, the Rockets are struggling mightily, and Christian Wood will undoubtedly be looking to make a statement against the team that traded him away five months ago. It’s hard to have confidence in the Rockets, given their recent form on both ends of the court.
Prediction: Mavericks 112, Rockets 106
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
