Mavs vs. Rockets Betting Line – 2015 NBA Playoffs Game One
Carrie Stroup here with your Mavs vs. Rockets betting line for the 2015 NBA Playoffs Game One.
Western Conference - First Round
Sportsbook.ag Line: Houston -5, Total: 211
The Mavericks and Rockets meet in Houston for Game 1 of their first round matchup.
The Mavericks won four of their last five regular season games SU, defeating the Blazers 114-98 as 6-point home favorites in their final game. Dallas has covered in three of its past four games and has shot 45% or better from the field in four of its past five contests.
The Rockets, meanwhile, won 117-91 as 11.5-point home favorites against Utah in their season finale. Houston enters the playoffs after winning three straight games SU and 10 of its past 13 as well. The Rockets also held their opponents to just 90.5 PPG in their last two regular season games.
The Rockets and Mavs met four times this season and Houston won-and-covered in three of those games. Over the past three seasons, the two teams have split wins both SU and ATS but the Rockets are 4-2 both SU and ATS when hosting the Mavericks.
Dallas is 14-3 ATS in road games in April over the past three seasons but does face a Houston team that is 12-3 ATS in home games when playing with two days of rest over the past two seasons.
PG Devin Harris (Toe) is probable for this game and SF Chandler Parsons (Knee) is questionable for the Mavericks. PF Donatas Motiejunas (Back) is out for the season for the Rockets and PG Patrick Beverley (Wrist) is not likely to return this series.
The Mavericks acquired PG Rajon Rondo (8.9 PPG, 7.9 APG, 5.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG) partly because of his ability to perform at a high level in the playoffs and now is when he must get himself going. Rondo struggled with the Mavericks during the regular season but he can erase that with some solid play in the postseason. The Rockets are weak at the point guard position with Patrick Beverley out, Rondo must take advantage of that.
PF Dirk Nowitzki (17.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG) averaged 14.5 PPG and 6.3 RPG on 39.6% shooting from the field in four meetings with the Rockets this season. Nowitzki must shoot the ball well in this series if the Mavericks are going to upset Houston.
C Tyson Chandler (10.3 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 1.2 BPG) is going to need to hold his own against Dwight Howard in this series. Chandler is a monster on the glass and can really protect the rim, but stopping Howard will not be easy.
Another guy who must hold his own in his one-on-one matchup is SG Monta Ellis (18.9 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG). Ellis averaged 20.3 PPG in four games against James Harden and the Rockets this season and he must play like that in this series.
SF Chandler Parsons (15.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG) would be a big loss if he does not play on Saturday. He is an excellent two-way player and the Mavericks need his athleticism on the floor.
The Rockets finished the season off strong and will now look to carry over their success into the playoffs. SG James Harden (27.4 PPG, 7.0 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.9 SPG) played at an MVP level throughout the year and ended the season with a triple-double against Utah. Harden will need to use his strength to bully Monta Ellis in this series and if he is not able to get to the free-throw line then the Rockets could be in trouble.
C Dwight Howard (15.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.3 BPG) must also be healthy for the team to win this series. Howard played 24.5 MPG in the last four games he played in the regular season and will need to be able to play more in the playoffs. He should be able to move Tyson Chandler with his strength when he gets in the post and he must be ready to rebound at a high level.
SF Trevor Ariza (12.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG) will need to knock down some outside shots in this series. He was solid from behind the arc this season (35% 3PT) and also plays very good defense. If he catches fire then it will take a lot of pressure off of Harden and Howard.
PF Josh Smith (12.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG) will need to have a big series for Houston. He averaged 15.4 PPG in the last five games of the regular season and must keep that up and also play well defensively.
