Mavericks and Rockets Set for Lone Star State Battle
The Dallas Mavericks take on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Sunday night.

The Mavericks (44-29) are barreling toward the postseason in fine fashion, as they'll enter Sunday having won six straight games and holding a 1.5-game lead for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference. Their most recent success came Friday night, when they edged the Sacramento Kings by a 107-103 score. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 30 points, adding three rebounds and two assists. Luka Doncic generated a 26-point, 12-assist double-double that included nine rebounds and two steals. Dereck Lively supplied 12 points, nine boards, two assists and one block.

The Mavericks will be without Josh Green (ankle) for Sunday's game. Doncic (knee) will carry a questionable tag.

The Rockets (38-35) are on an even more impressive run than their opponent, as they've rattled off 11 consecutive wins to position themselves just outside the play-in level. That streak narrowly survived in their most recent time on the floor, as they squeaked by the Utah Jazz by a 101-100 score Friday night. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 34 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Fred VanVleet recorded 22 points, six assists, two rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Amen Thompson generated an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double that included five assists, two steals and one block. Jabari Smith furnished 14 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.

The Rockets will list Cam Whitmore (knee) as probable for Sunday's game. Alperen Sengun (lower leg) remains out.

Sunday's game marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied 1-1.
Posted on: 3/30/2024 8:05 PM