Sports Betting Preview and Prediction: Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets

April 21, 2015 by R Keough

“Between the Chalk”

9:30 PM ET, April 21, 2015
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

The Dallas Mavericks (50-33, 36-45-2 ATS) will look to even the series when they face the Houston Rockets (57-26, 49-34-0 ATS) in the second game of their first round NBA Playoff series in Houston on Tuesday.

Experts using bookie software like Premier Per Head local bookmaking software online currently have the Rockets 5.5-point home favorites with the UNDER/OVER set at 215.5. A 118-108 score on Saturday in game 1 resulted in the OVER, the first time bettors using sites for local bookies saw that, with four regular season games between the two resulting in the UNDER.

Houston showed their depth finishing with seven players in double digit scoring, led with 24 by James Harden, although he went only 4 of 11 from the field. Harden hit 15 of 17 free throws and added 11 assists to go along with 2 rebounds and a steal.

Terrence Jones had a big game sinking 19 points with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal. Corey Brewer came off the bench to score 15, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter to help seal it.

Pay Per Head bookmaking agents watched as Dirk Nowitzki got 24 points for the Mavericks with 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Tyson Chandler led all players with 18 rebounds (8 offensive, 10 defensive) adding 11 points, 2 steals and a block.

Dallas could be without the services of ex-Rocket Chandler Parsons who is nursing a sore knee that kept him out of the Mavericks final six regular season games. Parsons’ 15.7 points per game was good for third on the Mavericks this season, who is listed as questionable and could be a game-time decision.

Houston’s SU and ATS win on Saturday was the fourth in five games versus Dallas this year. The Mavericks paid off their supporters using sites for local bookies winning SU and ATS in their only victory against the Rockets this season at home on February 20th.

Prediction

Houston started strong in the first quarter in game 1 getting out to a 32-19 lead after the first 12-minutes with Dallas getting it to within four at the half (59-55). The Rockets were too strong in the second half, with the Mavs unable to keep up.

The US Sportsbooks Accepting Bitcoin feel in order for Dallas to have a chance they have to commit less fouls, who sent James Harden to the line as many times as they did as a team (17). The Rockets shot 45-free throws in all.

With Houston’s depth and Parsons not 100% to help their transition game, Dallas will again be hard pressed to keep up with Houston. Houston will go to Dallas up 2-0.