The Dallas Mavericks will attempt to gain some ground on their Southwest Division rival tonight as they host the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. This evening's meeting between the Mavs and Rockets is scheduled to get underway at 8:30pm ET. Wednesday's NBA Betting Odds are favoring Dallas at -3.5 against the spread; the Over/Under in tonight's contest is set at 211.5 points.

Houston, which is presently second to the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest Division, holds a 3.5 games lead over the third place Mavericks in the standings. However, despite the 30-17 Rockets 30-17 current position, the odds makers are expecting a Dallas victory tonight.

Houston has shown an ability to feast on lesser teams when playing away from home, but it has experienced trouble getting past some of the league's better clubs when not playing within the friendly confines of the Toyota Center (5-7 on the road against winning teams, 6-3 on the road against losing teams).

The Rockets have also had their share of problems with the Mavericks. Dallas is 2-1 against its in-state rival this season, scoring a 123-120 home win and a 111-104 road victory, and it has won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams.

Dallas does not enter this evening's game with a great deal of momentum, having dropped four of its last seven games; however, five of those seven outings took place on the road where the Mavs are 11-13 for the season.

Dallas scored its 15th home win in 22 games at the American Airlines Center on Sunday night, defeating the reeling Pistons 116-106.

Notable Trends: The Rockets are 1-9 straight up and 2-7-1 against the spread in their last 10 games playing as an away underdog against the Mavericks.

NBA Betting Odds Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks:

Houston Rockets +3.5 (-110), Over 211.5 (-110), +140 (Moneyline)

Dallas Mavericks -3.5 (-110), Under 211.5 (-110), -160 (Moneyline)

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