The Dallas Mavericks can shrug off the absence of the NBA's reigning MVP Luka Doncic and test out Texas rivals, the Houston Rockets, at the Toyota Center.
PJ Washington Over 21.5 Points, Assists & Rebounds - 5/6
In Doncic's absence, other Mavericks need to find their range and PJ Washington certainly did that in Sacramento on Tuesday night.
The Mavs' power forward had a season-high 28 points against the Kings, adding four rebounds and an assist.
He is averaging 12.8 points this season but interestingly his numbers stack up better on the road than in Dallas.
In away games this season Washington is averaging 15.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Without Doncic, Dallas need all the scoring power they can muster which means he will get plenty of minutes in Houston.
The Rockets defence is as good as any and better than most but Washington looks the real deal at 5/6 to clear 21.5 points, assists and rebounds.
Fred VanVleet Over 4.5 rebounds - 10/13
Fred VanVleet won't be the biggest man on the Toyota Center court but he still remains a key figure in this rebounding machine of a Rockets side.
VanVleet is averaging 15.4 points and 6.0 assists this season and has racked up at least 16 points in each of his last four starts.
But it's his rebounding numbers that are also looking pretty with at least five boards in six of his last seven games, including seven last time against Miami.
He is averaging 4.6 rebounds but those numbers have risen through December and there is every reason to think he can at least drag down five more against Dallas.
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Money Line | Spread | Over/Under | |
HOU Rockets | -5.5 - 20/21 | Under 222.0 - 10/11 | |
DAL Mavericks | +5.5 - 20/23 | Over 222.0 - 10/11 |
Dallas Mavericks +5.5 - 20/23
You think no Doncic, no chance for Dallas, but there is plenty to suggest that might not be the case against their big state rivals.
The Mavericks (20-23) are actually 7-4 without Doncic this season and while any team would inevitably miss the ludicrous numbers the Slovenian posts, his absence evidently is not proving fatal.
Coach Jason Kidd isn't unused to absenteeism. He missed four of his starters including Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson in their 110-100 loss to Sacramento last time out, a third loss in four.
Kidd has used 15 different starting line-ups already but will get Irving and Thompson back in Houston and the Mavs are accordingly stronger.
And it isn't as though the Rockets are at full strength, either.
Houston (21-11) are missing Amen Thompson, suspended for his role in an almighty brawl at the back end of their 104-100 defeat to Miami on Sunday night. And a Jimmy Butler-less Heat at that.
For the second game in a row the Rockets lost sight of the basket in the fourth quarter and paid the ultimate price.
They continue to lay on defensive masterclasses, are league leaders in offensive rebounds and will never compromise their physical approach. But they can't match up offensively and without Thompson to defend Irving, Houston has a problem.
Both teams are on two-game losing streaks as they lose ground to OKC, who look to have the conference top seeding in the bag.
But a third straight loss would be a major blow. This could be a close-run thing with the Mavericks taken to cover a 5.5 spread.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.