The unbeaten Houston Rockets (5-0) finish a two-game road trip Friday night at American Airlines Center against the Dallas Mavericks (3-2). Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CT on Space City Home Network and SCHN+. It’s an Emirates NBA Cup game, so the result counts in the Cup standings as well as the regular-season record. Houston has covered the spread in all five games this season, per FanDuel Research.
It’s the second meeting in 10 days. Houston beat Dallas 128-110 in the season opener at Toyota Center on Oct. 21, and the Mavericks have won three of four since, including a 120-96 home win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Game Info
- Matchup: Houston Rockets (5-0) at Dallas Mavericks (3-2)
- When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, 7 p.m. CT
- Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
- TV: Space City Home Network and SCHN+ in Houston
- Also: Emirates NBA Cup game
Where the Rockets Stand
Houston is 5-0 and 3-0 on the road. The Rockets beat Dallas 128-110, San Antonio 114-110 in Austin, and Atlanta twice, 121-114 on the road and 120-110 at home. On Wednesday they routed Milwaukee 132-100 without Alperen Sengun, as Fred VanVleet scored 24 and Amen Thompson added 23.
Sengun leads the team at 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in four games. Kevin Durant is averaging 22.4 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 54% from the field and 50% from three. Thompson is at 18.2 points and 8.0 rebounds, Jabari Smith Jr. 16.2 points, and VanVleet 12.3 points and 6.5 assists, per FanDuel Research.
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Where the Mavericks Stand
Dallas opened with the loss in Houston, then won 121-105 at Indiana, lost 122-106 at home to San Antonio, and won 113-109 at Miami. On Wednesday, Cooper Flagg had 26 points and eight assists and P.J. Washington scored 18 as the Mavericks beat an injury-hit Thunder team 120-96. Dallas made a season-high 16 threes, and it was the first home win for first-year coach Dusty May, according to the AP.
Flagg leads Dallas at 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Kyrie Irving is averaging 18.0 points in four games, Washington 16.0 points and 7.8 rebounds, and Daniel Gafford 7.0 rebounds.
Injury Report
Alperen Sengun (low back soreness) and Marcus Smart (left forearm strain) are listed as questionable for Houston after both missed the Milwaukee game. Reed Sheppard (low back soreness) and Steven Adams (right soleus strain) are out. For Dallas, Naji Marshall (illness) is questionable, Santi Aldama (right knee surgery) and Tarik Biberovic (right heel bursitis) are doubtful, and Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery) and Sergio de Larrea (right knee sprain) are out. Caleb Martin is available with a right thumb splint. Statuses are from the NBA’s official injury report as of Thursday evening, Oct. 29 (CT), per the Dallas Sports Journal and HoopsHype. Check the official report closer to tip for final statuses.
Last Time Out
In the Oct. 21 opener, Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points each, Sengun added 23 points and 10 rebounds, VanVleet had 11 assists and Thompson put up 16 points and 10 rebounds in Houston’s 128-110 win. Flagg led Dallas with 32 points, per the ESPN box score. Houston leads the four-game season series 1-0.
Vegas Odds
Here are the lines at DraftKings, via ESPN, as of about 12:40 a.m. CT Friday, Oct. 30. Odds move, so check your sportsbook for the latest number.
- Spread: Rockets -5.5 (-115) / Mavericks +5.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Rockets -218 / Mavericks +180
- Total: 226.5 (Over -105 / Under -115)
FanDuel has Houston at -6.5, with a 227.5 total and moneylines of Rockets -210 / Mavericks +176, per FanDuel Research.
Player Props to Know
Consensus player prop lines across sportsbooks, via Betwatch, as of about 12:40 a.m. CT Friday:
- Kevin Durant: 23.5 points (Over -107 / Under -122), 5.5 rebounds (Over -105 / Under -125), 3.5 assists (Over -136 / Under +104)
- Amen Thompson: 17.5 points (Over -130 / Under -110), 7.5 rebounds (Over -132 / Under -105), 4.5 assists (Over -144 / Under +109)
- Fred VanVleet: 11.5 points (Over -133 / Under +100), 3.5 rebounds (Over +130 / Under -174), 5.5 assists (Over -155 / Under +120)
Odds and props are for information only and can change before tip-off. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
How to Watch
- TV in Houston: Space City Home Network
- Streaming: SCHN+
- Out of market: NBA League Pass
- Tip-off: 7 p.m. CT
Fan Poll
Do the Rockets get to 6-0 in Dallas?
What’s Next
The Rockets come home for a back-to-back against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. CT, then host the Boston Celtics on Monday, Nov. 2.
Catch up on VanVleet Erupts in Third as Rockets Rout Bucks 132-100 to Stay Unbeaten and follow all of LFG Houston’s Rockets coverage.
Stats via FanDuel Research and ESPN. Reporting from the AP. Schedule via NBA.com and ESPN.
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