7:00 PM CST on Root Sports Southwest
-Dwight Howard tweaked his ankle in practice yesterday and will be a game time decision.
-Terrence Jones may finally return from injury tonight (!!!!) and will be a game time decision.
As the Mavericks stroll into the Toyota Center tonight, Rockets guard Jason Terry said there is one big key to beating the rival team from Dallas.
“Kick ‘em while they’re down,” Terry said following Wednesday’s shoot around.
The Mavericks are coming off three straight losses- their latest on Tuesday night was a 109-90 victory for Memphis on Dallas’ home court.
“We want to make it four in a row,” said Terry, a former Maverick.
The Rockets are home for one game after playing three on the road and before heading back for two in Boston and Detroit this weekend.
They are looking for a win against a team that will undoubtedly be on a mission to bounce back after three disappointing losses. Rockets guard James Harden said his team is not overlooking Dallas.
“They have a lot of weapons and they are one of the top teams in the league in scoring,” Harden said. ”They can score the ball from anywhere on the court so our defense really has to be locked in tonight.”
The Mavericks and the Rockets have had several heated competitions, have a built in in-state rivalry and always have good battles on the floor. There has been added fuel to the flame with banter between Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey and Dallas owner Mark Cuban.
Terry said that while the rivalry between the two is fun, it’s not going to affect the game’s outcome.
“They haven’t shot one jumper so that’s a nonfactor in this game,” he said. “It’s good to read and fun to watch on Twitter but other than that it will have no factor in this game.”
