How to Catch the Rockets vs. Mavericks Showdown in Macao – Plus the Latest on Kyrie and Kevin Durant

If you’re still half‑asleep on Sunday morning, set an alarm for 5:10 a.m. Central. That’s when the Houston Rockets will tip‑off against the Dallas Mavericks at the Venetian Arena in Macao, China. The game will be streamed on NBA TV, so you can watch from the couch (or the kitchen) without missing a beat.

It’s not just any preseason game. This is the finale of the NBA China Games, a two‑team showcase that follows the Brooklyn Nets‑Phoenix Suns matchup that opened last season’s China tour. Houston entered the Macao series with a bang, blowing out the Mavericks 135‑117 in the opener just a day earlier. Fred VanVleet sparked the early lead with a flurry of three‑pointers and ended up with 17 points. Alperen Şengün was a triple‑double machine, posting 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in under 22 minutes, while Tari Eason topped the scoring chart with 20 points and nine boards.

Now the tables could turn. Dallas head coach Dusty May has hinted that Kyrie Irving will finally see some action in Macao, assuming his ACL rehab goes as planned. The rumor mill has been buzzing all week, and fans are hoping the point guard will get a few minutes to showcase his ball‑handling wizardry before the regular season kicks off.

On the Rockets’ side, the biggest story is Kevin Durant’s status. The former MVP is listed as “out – rest” for this game, a decision announced by GM Rafael Stone after a modest 15‑point outing on Friday. Coach Ime Udoka explained that the Rockets want to dial down Durant’s minutes after a heavy load last season, giving younger guys a chance to develop. "He never wants to come out of the game," Udoka said, "but we’re being mindful of his health and depth."

Here’s a quick look at the projected starters:

Rockets
F Tari Eason • F Jabari Smith • C Alperen Şengün • G Marcus Smart • G Amen Thompson

Mavericks
F Cooper Flagg • F Naji Marshall • C Morez Johnson Jr. • G Kyrie Irving • G Max Christie

Injury snapshot
Rockets – Kevin Durant (out – rest), Fred VanVleet (limited – rest).
Mavericks – Kyrie Irving (questionable – ACL), Dereck Lively (out – foot), Santi Aldama (questionable – undisclosed).

Betting lines from FanDuel (subject to change) have the Rockets favored by 2.5 points at -105, while the Mavericks sit at +2.5 odds of -115. The moneyline reads Rockets -130, Mavericks +106, with the over/under set at 230.5.

Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or just curious about how the NBA is expanding its global footprint, this Macao finale offers a mix of high‑scoring fireworks, young talent stepping up, and the ever‑intriguing health saga of two of the league’s biggest names.