It is a 8:30 PM ET start on Wednesday when the Houston Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center (Houston). Our Mavericks vs Rockets odds breakdown walks through the market, last season’s numbers, preseason results and the players to know.
Mavericks vs Rockets odds at a Glance
| Matchup | Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets |
|---|---|
| Records (2026-27) | Mavericks 0-0 | Rockets 0-0 |
| 2025-26 records | Mavericks 26-56 | Rockets 52-30 |
| Spread | Rockets -9.5 (-105) / Mavericks +9.5 (-115) |
| Moneyline | Mavericks +285 / Rockets -360 |
| Total | O/U 229.5 (over -112, under -108) |
| Venue | Toyota Center (Houston), Houston, TX |
| Date | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 |
| Time | 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM MST) |
| TV | NBA League Pass |
The DraftKings numbers above were pulled through ESPN on Tue Oct 20 2026 10:27 PM MST, and they remain subject to change.
Opening Numbers vs. Current Prices
On the moneyline, the Mavericks went from +270 at the open to +285, while the Rockets moved from -340 to -360. The Mavericks vs Rockets odds opened with the Rockets at -8.5 and the home side now sits at -9.5, a shift of 1 point since the open. The total opened at 226.5 and is 229.5 now, a move of 3 points.
Converted to implied probability, Mavericks at +285 works out to 26.0% and Rockets at -360 to 78.3%, with the difference above 100% reflecting the sportsbook margin. The Rockets are listed as the favorite in the current Mavericks vs Rockets odds.
Key Storylines
The Dallas Mavericks finished 2025-26 at 26-56 (16-25 at home, 10-30 on the road), the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference, scoring 114.1 points per game and allowing 119.6 for a -5.5 average margin. They closed the season 3-7 over their last 10 games under head coach Dusty May.
The Houston Rockets finished 2025-26 at 52-30 (30-11 at home, 22-19 on the road), the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, scoring 115.2 points per game and allowing 110.0 for a +5.2 average margin. Head coach Ime Udoka saw the club go 9-1 across its final 10 contests.
The 2025-26 series between these teams ended 2-2 in favor of neither side, per ESPN results (Nov 4: Rockets 110-102; Dec 7: Mavericks 122-109; Jan 4: Mavericks 110-104; Feb 1: Rockets 111-107). This is the first of the 2026-27 regular-season meetings, and the Mavericks vs Rockets odds reflect a fresh slate for both clubs.
ESPN’s game page frames the night simply: "Houston hosts Dallas in season opener." No regular-season games are in the books for either side, which makes the injury list and roster turnover especially relevant.
Recent Form
Across their final 5 preseason outings, the Mavericks posted a 2-3 record: W 149-128 vs. Chicago Bulls; L 135-117 vs. Houston Rockets; W 132-115 vs. Houston Rockets; L 101-97 vs. New Orleans Pelicans; L 135-111 vs. Atlanta Hawks. That works out to 121.2 points scored and 122.8 allowed per night.
Houston Rockets preseason, last 5: W 99-93 at Los Angeles Lakers; L 98-78 vs. Los Angeles Lakers; W 135-117 vs. Dallas Mavericks; L 132-115 vs. Dallas Mavericks; W 116-89 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder. The record was 3-2, with a scoring average of 108.6 against 105.8 conceded.
Keep in mind that October exhibition games often feature lineups that will not be used in the regular season.
Health Check
Dallas Mavericks: Jett Howard (G, Calf) is listed as day-to-day; Caleb Martin (F, Thumb) is listed as out, with an estimated return of Oct 23, 2026; Tarik Biberovic (F, Heel) is listed as out, with an estimated return of Oct 23, 2026; Dereck Lively II (C, Foot) is listed as out, with an estimated return of Oct 23, 2026; Santi Aldama (F, Knee) is listed as out, with an estimated return of Oct 23, 2026.
Houston Rockets: Julian Phillips (F, Illness) is listed as day-to-day; Steven Adams (C, Calf) is listed as day-to-day. Form like this tends to get priced into the Mavericks vs Rockets odds.
Final statuses are often confirmed close to tipoff, so watch for movement in the Mavericks vs Rockets odds if a listed player is ruled in or out.
Who to Watch on Each Roster
Among players still on the current roster, the Mavericks’ top 2025-26 per-game marks on ESPN’s leader board belong to Cooper Flagg in points (21.0) and assists (4.5) and P.J. Washington in rebounds (7.0). Naji Marshall (15.2 ppg) and P.J. Washington (14.2 ppg) also return as scoring options. Personnel is the main variable in the Mavericks vs Rockets odds this early in the year.
ESPN’s current Mavericks roster lists 17 players: Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic, Max Christie, Moussa Cisse, Sergio de Larrea, Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, Jett Howard, Kyrie Irving, Morez Johnson Jr., Tobi Lawal, Dereck Lively II, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Zaccharie Risacher, Marcus Sasser and P.J. Washington. First-year players include Tarik Biberovic, Sergio de Larrea, Morez Johnson Jr. and Tobi Lawal. This is worth weighing alongside the Mavericks vs Rockets odds.
Among players still on the current roster, the Rockets’ top 2025-26 per-game marks on ESPN’s leader board belong to Kevin Durant in points (26.0) and Alperen Sengun in rebounds (8.9) and assists (6.2). Alperen Sengun (20.4 ppg) and Amen Thompson (18.3 ppg) also return as scoring options. Those details round out the Mavericks vs Rockets odds picture.
ESPN’s current Rockets roster lists 17 players: Steven Adams, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, Quadir Copeland, Isaiah Crawford, Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, Julian Phillips, Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart, Jabari Smith Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, Amen Thompson, Bruce Thornton, Oscar Tshiebwe and Fred VanVleet. First-year players include Quadir Copeland and Bruce Thornton.
Viewing Details
Tipoff is 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM MST) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Toyota Center (Houston). TV: NBA League Pass. For live box scores and play-by-play, the ESPN game page carries the official feed.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Mavericks vs. Rockets
What are the Mavericks vs Rockets odds?
As of Tue Oct 20 2026 10:27 PM MST, DraftKings lists the spread at Rockets -9.5 (-105) / Mavericks +9.5 (-115), the moneyline at Mavericks +285 / Rockets -360 and the total at 229.5 (over -112, under -108).
Who is on the injury report for Mavericks vs. Rockets?
Mavericks: Jett Howard (day-to-day), Caleb Martin (out), Tarik Biberovic (out), Dereck Lively II (out) and Santi Aldama (out); Rockets: Julian Phillips (day-to-day) and Steven Adams (day-to-day), per ESPN.
What time does Mavericks vs. Rockets start and what channel is it on?
Tipoff is 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM MST) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Toyota Center (Houston) in Houston, TX. The broadcast is on NBA League Pass.
Have the Mavericks vs Rockets odds moved since opening?
The home spread opened at -8.5 and is -9.5 now; the total opened at 226.5 and sits at 229.5.
How did the Mavericks and Rockets finish last season?
The Mavericks went 26-56 in 2025-26 and the Rockets went 52-30, per ESPN standings.