Western Conference Title Contenders Meet as Mavs Host Rockets
The Houston Rockets (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS, 0-1 O/U) made some big offseason additions to their roster in order to finally get out of the first round of the playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks still have the same core group of players, but changed head coaches after taking a big step backwards last season.
BetUS NBA sports betting members will get a good look at the revamped teams that each hope to emerge from an ultra-competitive Western Conference this season.
The Rockets got their 2008-09 campaign off to a solid start by defeating the lowly Memphis Grizzlies 82-71 on Wednesday night in the Rockets’ debut of often-enigmatic forward Ron Artest and sweet-shooting veteran Brent Barry.
All-star center Yao Ming led the Rockets with 21 points while Artest and Tracy McGrady added 16 points apiece. Underrated forward Luis Scola added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds to help the Rockets down Memphis despite shooting a miserable 36.8 percent from the floor and getting outrebounded 49-44.
“I’m actually glad this game was pretty close, so we won’t get ahead of ourselves and think we’ve arrived,” McGrady said. “I’ll take any win. But we’ve still got a long ways to go. We can see that we’re not there yet.”
The Mavericks didn’t like playing defense very much under former head coach Avery Johnson and could have trouble playing for new head coach Rick Carlisle, another defensive-oriented task-master.
“Having said all that about the offensive end, we’ve got to be passionate and vigilant about preserving what Avery did here in establishing the defensive end,” Carlisle said. “This team didn’t get to the championship round until they really made a commitment defensively.”
Carlisle replaced Johnson following the Mavericks’ first-round playoff loss to the New Orleans Hornets.
“This is something that needed to happen,” said Johnson, who compiled a stellar 194-70 regular-season record with the Mavericks. “There’s no animosity or bitterness. We all still really care about each other, but it was time to go in a different direction. … We didn’t win the championship, but if you look at the whole body of work that we put together over the last 3 1/2 years … we’ll put it up against anybody.”
All-star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who often clashed with Johnson despite their denials, welcomed the change.
“Every coaching change brings fresh air,” the forward said. “It’s been fun so far. He wants us to still have the same attitude Avery had here – be a tough, physical team – we’re just trying to run a little more.”
Veteran point guard Jason Kidd is aboard for the entire season after coming back to his former club in February, but his skills are clearly in decline if you ask me.
Kidd averaged 9.9 points and 9.5 assists in 29 regular-season games for Dallas and was at least two steps slower than Hornets point guard Chris Paul in their first round playoff matchup last season. Still, Kidd says he’s excited about playing for Carlisle.
“I’m excited about it because there’s so many different options and it puts guys in so many different places,” said Kidd, who is in the final year of a six-year, $103.6 million deal. “Reggie (Miller, who played for Carlisle in Indiana) said that Coach is going to put you in a place to be successful and that’s all you can ask for.”
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by mu in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.
The Rockets are 24-8-3 ATS in their last 35 Thursday games.
The Rockets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 0 days rest.
The Mavericks are 39-18-1 ATS in their last 58 vs. NBA Southwest.
The Mavericks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 Thursday games.
The Under is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 home games.
The Rockets are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Dallas.
The Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
The Rockets are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
NBA Odds
Houston Rockets +4 -110
Dallas Mavericks -4 -110
Over 192 -110
Under 192 -110
Analysis: I see a low-scoring defensive battle first and foremost BetUS NBA sports betting buffs! The Rockets have been an outstanding defensive team for the past couple of seasons and the Mavericks will be forced to play some defense under Carlisle whether they like it or not.
I really don’t care that this is Dallas’ season and home opener, I just think the Rockets are going to be very serious this season at all times while Dallas gets better as the season goes along.
Take the Rockets to win outright and the Under NBA bettors.
