Houston @ Dallas preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 11, 2018 ) Dallas 97, Houston 104

The Houston Rockets have tasted defeat for the first time since late January and could be without their MVP candidate when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. James Harden is considered questionable for the matchup because of a sore knee that didn't seem to bother him Friday at Toronto, when the Rockets saw their 17-game winning streak come to an end.

Harden scored 40 points on 15-of-22 shooting in the 108-105 loss, which left Houston clinging to a half-game lead over Golden State in the race for first place in the Western Conference. "I don't even feel like we lost," Harden told reporters after the team's first setback since Jan. 26. "Same swagger. Nothing changed. It's one game." After finishing up in Dallas, the Rockets will play 10 of their next 14 at home but first must contend with a Mavericks crew that is aiming for its first three-game winning streak since December. Harrison Barnes was one of three Dallas players to score at least 20 points in Saturday's 114-80 victory over Memphis at home.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet Southwest (Houston), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (51-14): Houston went 4-3 when Harden was sidelined with a hamstring strain to begin January. Eric Gordon, who was limited to 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting against the Raptors, averaged 21.3 points while starting in place of Harden during that stretch. Center Clint Capela has made at least half of his field-goal attempts in 15 consecutive games and has nine double-doubles in that span, including one in a 104-97 victory over Dallas at home Feb. 11.

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (21-45): Dallas' 34-point win over the Grizzlies represents its widest margin of victory of the season, and the squad had season highs in foul shots made (30) and attempted (35). The effort came without standout rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who was out with a quadriceps injury but is hoping to return Sunday. J.J. Barea stepped up with 20 points - one shy of his season high - in 23 minutes on 8-of-11 shooting in a rare start.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Rockets SF Trevor Ariza is 0-for-7 from 3-point range over his last two games after making at least three from beyond the arc in his previous six contests.

2. Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki had two points on 1-of-9 shooting against Memphis after hitting 25-of-43 shots over his previous four contests.

3. Houston has won seven straight meetings and is looking to sweep the season series for the second time in a row.

PREDICTION: Rockets 110, Mavericks 101