There are no odds for the Mavericks and Rockets games in Macao this week, and that is a good thing. According to RG.org, major sportsbooks like FanDuel and BetRivers have not posted a price for the Friday or Sunday matchups. The NBA China Games start on Friday, October 9, at 8:00 a.m. ET, but betting lines remain empty. This is smart because the stakes are too low and the timing is too weird for real wagers.
The Real Story Is Irving and the New Roster
The headline for Dallas is not a point spread; it is Kyrie Irving. Although the nine-time All-Star has not played since tearing his left ACL on March 3, 2025, he is cleared for these games without restrictions. Cooper Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 pick, and he will share the court for the first time since the injury in this matchup. According to RG.org, Dallas posted a 26-56 record last season, marking its worst finish in eight years, meaning this new lineup requires every available minute together to develop chemistry.
Rookie Morez Johnson Jr. is soaking in the strange experience of being 8,100 miles from home. He told the Dallas News that he did not know about the trip before the draft. “I was just looking forward to playing basketball, but there’s so much behind-the-scenes stuff that I’m enjoying, stuff they don’t talk about on TV, but I’m enjoying it here with my teammates,” Johnson said. It is a new world for him, and for the whole team.
Why Houston Is the Finished Product
While Dallas is still building, the Rockets arrive as the finished product. Last season, they secured 52 wins even though Fred VanVleet tore his right ACL in September 2025. Both VanVleet and Steven Adams are back for this trip, and the Rockets added Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic for depth. Since the plan for VanVleet involves managing his workload early, heavy minutes in Macao would come as a surprise.
Dallas coach Dusty May sees the trip as a rare chance to bond. “We obviously know why we’re here, and our guys are taking care of business off the court, as well,” May said to the Dallas News. The team is taking walks and having dinners to build chemistry.
Center Position Still a Question Mark
The biggest worry for Dallas remains the center spot. Dereck Lively II is still not practicing after foot surgery in December. The Smoking Cuban reports that his status for the October 21 season opener is in serious doubt. With Lively out, coach Dusty May likely has to start Daniel Gafford. Gafford has proven he can start, and May wants him to take more threes this season to stretch the defense.
Lively and Gafford are a dangerous one-two combo when both are healthy, but that is not the case right now. “It’s still more what the guys are doing together around the hotel and the meeting rooms,” May said. “Going for walks, things like that. It’s been very productive as far as team-building and team-bonding.” The games in Macao matter more to Dallas than Houston because a first-year coach needs to see his new players work together.
