Rockets vs. Mavericks Pre-Game 11/16/22

Rockets Swing into Dallas for Matchup with Mavericks

Brothers Reunited.    Luka Gon-Sit.    One for the Road.

“He’s my brother, I learned a lot from him,” Alperen Sengun said when asked about his thoughts matching up against his former teammate, Christian Wood, who Houston sent to Dallas this summer for a package of draft picks. The Rockets meet Wood for the first time since dealing him as these Texas rivals square off for a Wednesday night matchup. Wood has met expectations, if not exceeded them, so far this season with the Mavs. He’s played well alongside Dallas’ superstar sensation, Luka Doncic. Luckily for the Rockets, Luka will be resting tonight for the 8-5 Mavericks. Houston’s desperate for a win, as they slump into the Big D, having lost nine of the last ten games. It’s been a rough start to the season for the Rockets, but they have a chance to get their best win of the season tonight.

The Mavericks are 8-5, off to a somewhat underwhelming start after many had picked them to finish among the top 3 spots out West this season. Luka is off to an MVP-caliber start, although we won’t get to witness his bag of tricks tonight, the Rockets will likely face Cool Hands Luka later on this season. For tonight’s contest, Houston has to ignore the recent news that Doncic won’t be playing tonight. The Mavs have a talented team around Doncic, and several Rocket-killers (Tim Hardaway, Jr.). Expect Hardaway, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Christian Wood to deal out the majority of the damage for Dallas. If Houston comes into American Airlines Center with the comfortable mindset knowing they won’t have to deal with Luka Doncic tonight, the Rockets will find themselves in trouble.

Hopefully the squad ignores the news. Or finally puts it together for four quarters for a win. Houston is desperate. They have the worst record in the league, being the only team in the NBA yet to record three wins on the season. This is the lone road game during this long stretch of home games for the Rockets, and the squad doesn’t even have to leave the state, heading a few hours Northwest to Dallas. Expect Jalen Green, with Doncic sitting out, to potentially have an explosive night offensively. This is one of those games where anything could happen, except from what we’ve witnessed so far this season, don’t expect the Rockets to blow anyone out of building. They could easily get blown out. Houston could also easily steal one in Dallas if they take advantage of the Luka-less Mavs. Dallas is coming off a close win last night over the Clippers, who the Rockets are all-too-familiar with 14 games into the season. Houston has the rest advantage having yesterday off, can their young legs energize enough efficient play to keep the Mavs at bay? We’ll find out soon enough. It should be fun to watch tonight’s key interior matchup: two former big brothers in Aleperen Sengun and Christian Wood battling in the post. For tonight… we’ll find out just how much Sengun learned after all.

American Airlines Center: Dallas, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (2-12):  White

Dallas Mavericks (8-5):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  7:30 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass