Unbeaten Rockets bring NBA's No. 2 offense to Dallas

The unbeaten Houston Rockets (5-0) bring the league's second-best offense to Dallas on Friday, October 30, where the Mavericks (3-2) own the 14th-ranked defense. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET.

Houston scores 120.5 points per 100 possessions and has an effective field goal percentage of 59.1, both second in the league. Dallas allows 109.6 points per 100 possessions.

Offensive rebounding could widen the gap. The Rockets grab 31.2% of their own misses, fourth in the league, while Dallas collects 71.4% of opponents' misses, 20th. Extra Houston possessions are the likeliest way the margin grows.

The Mavericks have a strength of their own: an effective field goal percentage of 56.4, fourth in the league. But their free-throw rate of 0.192 is the lowest in the league, and Houston's 0.325 is fifth, so the Rockets should get to the line far more often.

Alperen Sengun leads Houston with 24.5 points, nine rebounds and seven assists a game, and he is questionable. Cooper Flagg leads Dallas with 25.3 points and 2.8 steals a game, and P.J. Washington adds 7.8 rebounds.

Houston also lists Marcus Smart as questionable and Reed Sheppard, who plays 23.3 minutes a game, as out. For Dallas, center Dereck Lively II is out, Santi Aldama is doubtful and Naji Marshall is questionable.

The teams met nine days ago, and Houston won 128-110. The Rockets have won all five games this season, the latest a 132-100 victory at Milwaukee. Dallas has won two straight, including a 120-96 win over Oklahoma City.

Sportsbooks' prices give Houston a 66% chance to win, and Keel's projection, built from the players available, puts it at 70%.