After yet another win over the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets, the Houston Rockets (8-6) have won eight straight games within the friendly home confines of Toyota Center.
They are 0-5, however, on the road. On Tuesday in Dallas, they’ll look to finally get on the board in a game with implications beyond the 82-game schedule of the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season.
By defeating the Mavericks (10-6), the Rockets would improve to 3-1 during in-season tournament play. That would clinch first place in Western Conference Group B, a spot in the eight-team quarterfinals and potentially another home game as a result.
On the other hand, if Houston loses in Dallas, it likely is eliminated from in-season tournament.
The stakes are high for Ime Udoka’s young and improving Rockets, who continue to own the NBA’s top defense this season.
For the Mavericks, superstar guard Luka Doncic is cleared to play despite suffering a low-grade sprain to his left thumb, ESPN reports.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 28
- Time: 7:30 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (8-6)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Dallas Mavericks (10-6)
- Guard: Luka Doncic
- Guard: Kyrie Irving
- Forward: Derrick Jones Jr.
- Forward: Grant Williams
- Center: Richaun Holmes
Projected lineups are based on each team’s latest game.
Injury reports
Houston’s Nov. 28 injury report lists Amen Thompson (right ankle sprain) and Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) as out.
Dillon Brooks (left adductor tendinopathy), Fred VanVleet (left thumb sprain), Jae’Sean Tate (left knee soreness) and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) are all listed as probable.
The Mavericks will be without Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation). Derick Lively II (low back contusion) is questionable.
Nov. 28 uniform choices
- Rockets: White Association Edition
- Mavericks: Black City Edition
