Dallas Mavs Top 3 Betting Picks vs. Houston Rockets: Will Luka Doncic's Thumb Slow Him Down?
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are back home to host Dillon Brooks and the Houston Rockets in a game that features two vastly different play styles.
The Mavs are coming off one of their more ugly losses of the season so far, falling to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, 107-88. The Clippers jumped out to an 11-point lead after the first quarter and never looked back despite Doncic and Kyrie Irving combining for 56 points.
The Rockets are coming off an impressive 105-86 blowout victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Houston was led by Alperen Sengun's 21 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in their second straight win.
Going into Tuesday night's matchup, Maxi Kleber remains out for Dallas with a right toe injury while Dereck Lively II (low back contusion) is questionable. For Houston, they'll be without rookie Amen Thompson (right ankle sprain) while Fred VanVleet (left thumb), Dillon Brooks (left adductor), Jae'Sean Tate (left knee), and Tari Eason (left lower leg) are all probable.
Mavs' Tim Hardaway Jr. shoots a 3-pointer over Rockets' K.J. Martin.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Check out the the betting lines and player props below, courtesy of SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point Spread: Rockets (+4.5) / Mavericks (-4.5)
Money Line: Rockets (+150) / Mavericks (-200)
Over/Under: 228.5
Player Props / Our Picks
Kyrie Irving O/U 26.5 Points: Over
Irving is in the middle of his best basketball so far this season, averaging 29 points on 51 percent shooting from the floor over the last four games. Look for Irving to take the driver's seat in Tuesday's matchup and continue hit hot streak.
Grant Williams O/U 8.5 Points: Over
Over the last three games, Grant Williams has only scored a total 18 points as he's struggled shooting from 3-point range at just 26 percent. With Doncic's thumb injury potentially hindering him in Tuesday night's game and Williams simply just being due, look for Williams to be the beneficiary of more open looks in the corner.
Alperen Sengun O/U 30.5 Points + Rebounds: Over
Sengun has taken that next step so far this season, averaging 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game as he's looking like a young Nikola Jokic. Coming off his dominant performance over Jokic and Denver on Friday, look for Sengun to continue his hot play on Tuesday.
Prediction: As noted above, coming off arguably their worst loss of the season, the Mavs will be sure to put their best foot forward in Tuesday's game back at home. Take Dallas -4.5 to get the win.
