After a disappointing run last season, the Dallas Mavericks have neared a playoff spot in 2024, which could be their 25th since existence. Currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 47-30 record, the Mavs have 5 games left to lock their place in the postseason. However, tonight, as they take on the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center, they could be without Luka Doncic, who’s been listed as questionable.

Having missed the Mavs 108-106 win over the Golden State Warriors due to a knee injury, Doncic seems to be nursing that same soreness. While the Dallas team did snatch victory in his absence against the Dubs, it’s otherwise had a slightly underwhelming record in the absence of Luka Magic. They’ve won only 4 games out of 10 in his absence this season.

Over the last few years, Doncic has taken care of the majority of the team’s offense, averaging 28.6 points in his career. This season, with Kyrie Irving by his side, he recorded a career-best average of 33.8 points per game with 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists, lining himself up for the playoff race. As for his record against the Rockets, he’s averaged 31.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 16 games.

Apart from Luka Doncic, the team has four other players on the injury report. Dereck Lively II, the rookie center who also injured his knee, might only return for the postseason. Other than him, Maxi Kleber (back) has been listed as questionable, while Greg Brown (personal) and Josh Green (ankle) have been ruled out.

The Houston Rockets, on the other hand, have a long list of players unavailable for tonight’s game. Amen Thompson (ankle/finger) is questionable, while Jae’Sean Tate (ankle), Aleperen Sengun (ankle), Tari Eason (leg surgery), and Steven Adams (knee) have been ruled out. Notably, the Rockets could treat tonight’s game to seek revenge on the Mavs for ending their 11-game winning streak.

Coming into tonight’s game, the Mavericks have won 9 of their last 10 games and are on a two-game winning streak. The Rockets, meanwhile, have won only 6 of their last 10 and are on a four-game losing streak. With the home team looking to break that streak and Dallas hoping to clinch a playoff spot, how could the two teams potentially line up for the game?

Mavericks vs Rockets: Predicted lineups

If Luka Doncic’s absence continues, the Mavs will have a huge void in their offense. Jason Kidd would require someone to fill in those huge shoes. Fortunately, former NBA champion Kyrie Irving’s recent addition to the side has evaded that concern. Nevertheless, the Dallas side would require a guard to replace Doncic in the starting lineup. In the last game against the Dubs, Dante Exum took his spot and dropped 11 points with 7 assists.

So far, Exum has started in 16 games for the Mavs this season and scored an average of 13.8 points and 4.4 assists per game with a season-best of 15 points. That said, if Doncic is sitting out, the Mavericks’ starting lineup for tonight’s clash may look like this: P.J. Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., Daniel Gafford, Kyrie Irving, and Dante Exum.

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Given their list of injuries, the Rockets could start with Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. With the game tipping off at 3:30 PM ET, who do you think will come out on top?

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