The Dallas Mavericks (33-34) and Houston Rockets (41-25) are all set to square off from Toyota Center in Houston. Life without Luca Doncic has not been great for the Mavericks. They are 2-8 in their last 10 and are rapidly falling out of playoff contention.

Pregame updates and postgame analysis from the Houston Chronicle for the Houston Rockets' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

Christie has cashed the Under for this prop in nine of his past 10 games. The odds have ranged from 19.5-23.5, depending on the opponent. Houston should stymie the Dallas offense. The Rockets rank second in defensive efficiency, though stud defender Amen Thompson is injured and will miss the game.

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker led the Phoenix Suns with 22 points each in a 122-106 home win against the Sacramento Kings on Friday. The victory snapped Phoenix's two-game skid and handed Sacramento its fourth straight loss.

When their Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have shared the court, they've been outscored by 3.3 points per 100 possessions. Assuming the story more or less stays the same for the next month,

Don't take my or any other reporter's word for it, listen to what Suns owner Mat Ishbia — whose "all-in" aggressive style led to the trades to acquire Durant and Bradley Beal — told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon: According to Ishbia,

Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison says he traded Luka Doncic to win now. Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont says he did it for the future. Patrick Dumont reasons to trade Luka Dončić. Thoughts? #MFFL pic.twitter.com/Uvbu8PkKXd

The Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont keeps trying to rationalize the reasons behind the Luka Doncic trade to the Lakers.