It is currently run by the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets with the first game taken place at the Venetian Arena in Macao on October 9, 2026, and the second game set for October 11, 2026. For fans analyzing this international matchup and searching for an accurate Rockets vs Dallas prediction, we're favoring the Rockets here in this rematch – largely due to the fact that Houston has just about all of the components of their 52-30, playoff team intact, while Dallas is slowly coming back together with Kyrie Irving and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. Preseason basketball is always a crap shoot, of course, and rotations are always tentative and stars don't always play significant minutes, so remember this is a lean, not a lock. Now we dissect the recent form, injuries, head-to-head history, odds and more, and give our verdict on this Macao preseason duel between two Western Conference sides that are undergoing an identity change in 2026-27.
Houston finished the season as the West's 5-seed, 52-30, before it was defeated by the Lakers in a six-game first-round clash. Kevin Durant scored the Rockets' 26.0 PPG, while Alperen Sengun (20.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG) and Amen Thompson (18.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG) were the other two solid contributors to a deep, athletic core that remains virtually untouched in this season.
Dallas, on the other hand, ended the season 26-56 and failed to advance to the playoffs for a second consecutive year, and has been overhauled twice in the past few seasons, first after handing up Luka Doncic in the offseason and second when it sent Anthony Davis to Washington in a February trade for picks and Khris Middleton. The only positive was rookie Cooper Flagg who averaged 21.0 PPG and 6.7 RPG on his way to Rookie of the Year. Kyrie Irving is the star of Dallas's bounce-back team, having missed all of 2025-26 with an ACL tear.
Game 1 will not be played until October 9, so as of this writing (October 7), there is no result to report — stay tuned for an update when Macao tips off.
| Category | Dallas Mavericks | Houston Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Form | 26-56 (2025-26), missed playoffs | 52-30 (2025-26), lost Round 1 |
| Key Player | Cooper Flagg (ROY, 21.0 PPG) | Kevin Durant (26.0 PPG) |
| Availability | Irving clear (no designation); Aldama, Lively II game-time decisions | VanVleet and full roster clear - no injuries listed |
| Edge | Youth upside, Flagg development | Continuity, proven playoff depth |
NOTE: No confirmed moneyline was found from sources checked - check Sports OKBet or another licensed sportsbook directly for a live line closer to the tip-off. Macao is also an opportunity for Houston to recoup all that chemistry they lost when they were ousted in the first round and prove themselves as a West team. It's an early benchmark of a revamped roster for Dallas and a marquee opportunity for Irving to make his comeback and Flagg to continue his rookie year breakout.
If the team wins on a straight team-winner lean (not sportsbook lean): Houston maintains the lead as in the Final Prediction. The Rockets are totally uninjured, as they landed in the playoffs as a 52-win unit, while Dallas, even with Irving off, has two rotation pieces in the frontcourt (Aldama, Lively II) up for grabs and a team still in flux due to two separate trades.
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The Macao matchup marks the conclusion of a fascinating preseason slate between a revamped Mavericks roster and a Rockets team hoping to continue its momentum from the 2025-26 season. Anyone searching for a solid Rockets vs Dallas prediction should note that while we are hoping for roster continuity, Irving's status is up in the air right now and we don't know who will be playing full preseason minutes—making this something that needs to be watched closely rather than relied upon. For the latest odds, see Sports OKBet prior to the NBA Preaseason tip-off.
No, this is the second matchup in a pair of NBA preseason games (NBA Macao Games) played in Macao prior to the 2026-27 season.
He has not been confirmed independent of the source for this game.
Keep an eye on regional broadcast schedules for coverage and live odds with Sports OKBet as the PAGCOR-licensed site refreshes their markets.
