The Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, January 3, with injuries playing a major role in how this Western Conference matchup could unfold. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Toyota Center as both teams enter the game on very different trajectories.
Houston Rockets comes in with a 21-10 record and a four-game winning streak. The Mavericks, meanwhile, sit at 12-23 and have dropped four straight games.
Houston’s injury report is highlighted by the continued absence of Fred VanVleet, who remains out following right knee ACL repair. Steven Adams is listed as questionable due to a right ankle sprain. Adams averages 8.4 rebounds in just 21.7 minutes per game. Isaiah Crawford and Tyler Smith are both ruled out while on G League two-way assignments.
Despite the injuries, Houston has been one of the league’s most efficient offenses, scoring 120.5 points per game and ranking third in the Western Conference. Kevin Durant leads the group with 25.4 points per game, supported by Alperen Sengun’s 22.6 points and 6.7 assists.
Mavericks enters the game significantly short-handed. Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum are both out following knee surgeries. Dereck Lively II is also sidelined with right foot surgery. Moussa Cisse and Miles Kelly are both listed as doubtful due to G League two-way designations.
Anthony Davis remains available and is expected to anchor the Mavericks on both ends. He averages 20.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game but has missed time earlier this season. Cooper Flagg averages 19.2 points per game, with P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall providing secondary scoring. However, the Mavericks are allowing 117.9 points per game, one of the weakest defensive marks in the West.
The teams have split two meetings this season, with Dallas winning 122-109 on December 6 and Houston responding with a 110-102 win on November 3.
