Dallas at Houston

It's no fun to play uptempo Houston and the aging Dallas Mavericks can't stop many teams at 27th in the NBA in points allowed and 17th at defending the three-pointer, allowing .364% shooting beyond the arc.  The Mavericks are 2-8 ATS in their last ten Sunday games and are out of the playoffs at this point at 11th seed in the West. Houston, meanwhile, is super-motivated trying to hang on to the eight and final playoff spot. They are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games overall. Houston is second in the NBA in scoring as they run right at opponents. The Rockets are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games following a win and 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. And when these Texas rivals meet the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings. Play the Rockets.