Rockets, NBA's top offensive rebounders, host depleted Mavericks

The Houston Rockets (52-30), the NBA's best offensive rebounding team last season, host the Dallas Mavericks (26-56), who played the league's fourth-fastest pace, on Wednesday, October 21, with tip-off at 8:30 PM ET.

Houston grabbed 34.8% of its own misses last season, first among 30 teams. Dallas shot an effective 52.7% from the field, 27th in the league, so it figures to miss often and give the Rockets second shots.

Dallas does not recover many of its own misses, either. Its offensive rebound rate of 23.2% ranked 26th. Houston's defense, fifth in the league with a rating of 110.8, held opponents to an effective field goal percentage of 53%, sixth best.

Pace favors Houston. The Rockets played at the second-slowest tempo in the league, 98.2 possessions, while the Mavericks pushed it to 103.6. Whichever team sets the speed shapes how many possessions each gets.

Kevin Durant averaged 26 points on 52% shooting for Houston. Alperen Sengun added 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists, the team lead in both categories.

Cooper Flagg led Dallas with 21 points per game and also topped the team in assists (4.5) and steals (1.2). P.J. Washington grabbed seven rebounds a game, the team's best mark.

The Mavericks are thin. Santi Aldama, Dereck Lively II, Caleb Martin and Tarik Biberovic are out, with Friday, October 23 given as the return date. Aldama played 26.8 minutes a game and Lively 21.2. Jett Howard is day-to-day.

Houston lists Steven Adams and Julian Phillips as day-to-day. Adams averaged 20.9 minutes at center, so his status bears on the rebounding fight.

Houston went 9-1 over its last 10 regular-season games last season, while Dallas went 3-7. Those numbers are from last season, with this season's rosters.

Sportsbooks' prices give Houston a 77% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, puts it at 69.9%.