This is a 10* TOTAL BLOCKBUSTER on the OVER between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets.

When the smoke clears at the end of this one, I expect this total to sneak above the posted number. After being eliminated in the first round in each of the last two seasons, to say James Harden and the Houston Rockets are "motivated" this year would be a bit of an understatement I think: "I feel like we've got a great opportunity," Harden said. "We've got the right guys in this locker room to get it done and go further than that." With Harden leading the charge today, I am expecting a very quick game from the outset and a faster paced contest = more shots and more shots = more points. This is the first time the teams have faced each other in the Playoffs since 2005, so there's no real rivalry at all between them, something that benefits No. 7 seed Dallas in my opinion, it can focus on the work on the court and does not have to worry about any other drama and I believe this will translate into efficiency and production. With a few days off to prepare, I believe there will be an emphasis on scoring today, note that Dallas has seen the total go OVER the number in 13 of 24 as an underdog this season, while Houston has seen the total sail above the posted number in 28 of 53 this year vs. good offensive teams which average 99-plus points per contest. In my opinion, the writing is on the wall and a shootout is in the cards, play on the OVER.

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