Dallas is playing better since being called out for tanking. The Mavericks are 2-0 in their last two games defeating the Nuggets and Grizzlies by a combined 45 points. They could get back Dennis Smith Jr. from a quad injury today after the star rookie point guard missed the Mavericks' 114-80 waltz against the Grizzlies last night.

The Mavericks should have more motivation than the Rockets in a triple-revenge spot. Houston is 3-0 versus Dallas this season. The Rockets' average win margin in these three games is 10 points.

Perhaps the biggest factor, though, in backing the home 'dog is I'm not expecting James Harden to play for the Rockets. This is Houston's fourth road game in six days. The Rockets have a far more challenging game on Monday when they host San Antonio. So the word is the Rockets are going to give Harden a chance to rest his sore knees by sitting him out here.

Houston doesn't figure to care much about this matchup and could be in a letdown moood after its 17-game win streak was ended by the Raptors this past Friday night.