Mavericks vs. Rockets: A History of the Lone Star State’s I-45 Rivalry

When Do the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets Play Next?

Dallas Mavericks tickets and Houston Rockets tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets Rivals?

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are two of the three NBA teams based in Texas. The two franchises are about 250 miles apart and compete in the Southwest Division in the Western Conference. The Mavericks vs. Rockets rivalry is intense, largely because of the teams’ proximity to one another and because they are in the same division.

Who are the Dallas Mavericks’ Biggest Rivals?

The San Antonio Spurs are the Dallas Mavericks’ biggest rival. The Spurs were originally in the ABA in Dallas before moving to San Antonio. The rivalry began in the Mavericks’ first game in the NBA in 1980, a win over the Spurs. The I-35 rivalry has been fueled by six playoff clashes. The Spurs topped the Mavericks in the 2003 Western Conference Finals en route to a championship. The Mavericks got revenge in 2006, knocking the Spurs out in the Conference Semifinals. The Spurs have won four of the six playoff series, including the two most recent, in 2010 and 2014. Dallas also has rivalries with Miami, Phoenix, and the Lakers.

Who are the Houston Rockets’ Biggest Rivals?

The Houston Rockets’ biggest rivals are also the San Antonio Spurs. It’s known as the I-10 rivalry and has featured a lot of regular season success for the Spurs – but more playoff series wins for the Rockets. The Spurs hold a 108-83 advantage in head-to-head regular season matchups, while the Rockets have won three of the four playoff series between the two teams. The most notable playoff series in the rivalry came in the 1995 Western Conference Finals, when sixth-seeded Houston beat top-seeded San Antonio en route to winning the NBA Finals. The Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors are other rivals for the Rockets.

Game Results Between the Mavericks & Rockets

The Mavericks beat the Rockets on November 28th in the NBA In-Season Tournament. The Rockets evened the season series at home on Dec 22. The teams square off again on March 31 in Houston and April 7 in Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets History

The Mavericks Rockets rivalry is known as the I-45 rivalry, as the cities are connected by Interstate 45. The rivalry is a rather even one, as Houston holds a 102-93 edge in wins. The teams have met three times in the playoffs. The first came in 1988, when Dallas bested Houston in a first round series on the way to the conference finals for the first time.

The next series came in 2005, which Dallas won, and Houston got revenge in 2015, cruising to a first round win in five games.

Where Do the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks Play?

The Houston Rockets play at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Toyota Center has been home to the Rockets since 2003.

The Dallas Mavericks play at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. American Airlines Center is also home to the Dallas Stars.