Dallas Mavs Top 3 Betting Picks vs. Houston Rockets: Tim Hardaway Jr., Dwight Powell, Fred VanVleet

Looking for the best betting odds and predictions for tonight's Dallas Mavericks game? Check out DallasBasketball.com's best predictions and player props.

Tim Hardaway Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks hit the road to take on Fred VanVleet and the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

The Mavs are coming off a 120-111 loss on Wednesday night to the Los Angeles Clippers, losing their second straight game. Luka Doncic led the way with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists to help lead Dallas to eliminate the Clippers' 22-point lead in the second half but couldn't get over the hump to capture the win.

The Rockets lost their third-game in a row on Wednesday night to the Atlanta Hawks, 134-127. Jabari Smith Jr. scored a career-high 34 points on 8-of-14 shooting and it all 14 free throw attempts while grabbing 13 rebounds in the loss.

Notable Injuries

Mavericks: Seth Curry (back spasms) is questionable. Luka Doncic (left quad strain), Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion), Dereck Lively II (left ankle sprain), Dante Exum (left leg contusion), Josh Green (right elbow sprain), and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) are out.

Rockets: Tari Eason (left leg soreness) is questionable. Reggie Bullock (illness) is doubtful. 

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Check out the the betting lines and player props below, courtesy of SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point Spread: Mavericks (+8.5) / Rockets (-8.5)

Money Line: Mavericks (+255) / Rockets (-333)

Over/Under: 223.5

Player Props / Our Picks

Tim Hardaway Jr. O/U 22.5 Points: Over

With the likes of Doncic, Irving, Lively, and even Exum out of the lineup, all eyes will be on THJ on Friday night. On the season, Hardaway is averaging 17.4 points per game while shooting 36.2 percent from downtown on just over nine attempts a night. Look for THJ to be Dallas' go-to scorer against the Rockets.

Mavs Rule Out 6 Injured Players vs. Rockets, Including Luka Doncic

Dwight Powell O/U 16.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists: Under

Despite Lively being out for his third straight game, Powell may benefit from more minutes but that doesn't mean the production will come. Averaging just 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game this season, Powell isn't who we look for to stuff the stat sheet. And with the small ball success that Dallas had in the second half against the Clippers, look for Kidd to ride that wave with so many injuries on Friday.

Fred VanVleet O/U 20.5 Points: Over 

Though Houston has lost three straight games, VanVleet has been on a heater, averaging 27.0 points and 12.7 assists per game over the last three. Look for Fred to continue his hot streak against an undermanned Mavs roster.

Prediction: With so many core members of Dallas' rotation out of tonight's lineup, including Doncic, the Mavs would need one hell of an effort across the board to sneak out of Houston with a win. Take the Rockets -8.5.

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