Naji Marshall

Dallas Mavericks (19-29, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (29-17, fourth in the Western Conference)Houston; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Dallas faces the Houston Rockets after Cooper Flagg scored 49 points in the Mavericks' 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.The Rockets are 5-5 against division opponents. Houston is 11-3 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 14.4 turnovers per game.The Mavericks are 3-6 against Southwest Division opponents. Dallas is 7-11 in games decided by 10 points or more.The Rockets average 116.1 points per game, 0.6 fewer points than the 116.7 the Mavericks give up. The Mavericks average 114.2 points per game, 4.2 more than the 110.0 the Rockets give up.The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Mavericks won the last meeting 110-104 on Jan. 4, with Anthony Davis scoring 26 points in the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Kevin Durant is averaging 26.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.5 points over the last 10 games.Flagg is averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall is averaging 18.6 points over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 7-3, averaging 109.4 points, 49.3 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 9.2 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.3 points per game.Mavericks: 5-5, averaging 118.4 points, 46.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.9 points.INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Dorian Finney-Smith: day to day (injury management), Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Kyrie Irving: out (knee), Dante Exum: out for season (knee), Naji Marshall: day to day (rest), Anthony Davis: out (hand).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Flagg is back after missing Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves. His return coincides with Naji Marshall's absence, so that's the lone change to the Mavericks' starting lineup.

Cooper Flagg (ankle) will return for the Mavericks, but Marshall is going to miss the second game back the back-to-back. P.J. Washington should move into the starting lineup in his place and could be in for a solid game.

Marshall will be rested Thursday against the Hornets.

Charlotte Hornets (20-28, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (19-28, 11th in the Western Conference)Dallas; Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ESTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Hornets -4.5; over/under is 228.5BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte is looking to keep its four-game win streak intact when the Hornets take on Dallas.The Mavericks are 14-13 on their home court. Dallas has a 5-5 record in one-possession games.The Hornets have gone 11-15 away from home. Charlotte scores 116.2 points and has outscored opponents by 1.6 points per game.The Mavericks are shooting 47.2% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 47.5% the Hornets allow to opponents. The Hornets are shooting 46.4% from the field, 0.2% higher than the 46.2% the Mavericks' opponents have shot this season.TOP PERFORMERS: P.J. Washington is shooting 45.3% and averaging 14.3 points for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall is averaging 20.3 points over the last 10 games.LaMelo Ball is shooting 40.6% and averaging 19.0 points for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 5-5, averaging 117.7 points, 45.9 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.2 points per game.Hornets: 7-3, averaging 119.2 points, 49.6 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.8 points.INJURIES: Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Kyrie Irving: out (knee), Dante Exum: out for season (knee), Anthony Davis: out (hand), Klay Thompson: out (knee), Cooper Flagg: out (injury management).Hornets: Mason Plumlee: out (groin).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.