Dallas @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 27, 2016 ) Houston 123, Dallas 107

The Houston Rockets opened the season with an impressive 2-0 road trip, but they return home on a bit of a negative note. Star point guard Chris Paul is expected to miss up to four weeks with a bruised left knee, which will leave him out of the home opener Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Paul, acquired in a massive trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in June, initially suffered the injury in the preseason and hobbled through a season-opening win at Golden State before sitting out Wednesday's 105-100 win at Sacramento. According to reports, Houston has reached out to the camp of veteran Jameer Nelson, who was recently released by the Denver Nuggets and has cleared waivers. The Mavericks have dropped their first two games - both at home - after they were dominated on the boards in a 93-88 setback against Sacramento on Friday. Rookie Dennis Smith Jr., who was impressive in his debut against Atlanta on Wednesday, was a late scratch due to a left knee effusion.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), AT&T SportsNet - Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (0-2): Dallas was outrebounded 57-36 against Sacramento after gathering nine fewer boards in Wednesday's season-opening loss to Atlanta. Dirk Nowitzki (nine rebounds) and Nerlens Noel (six) were the only two players to grab more than four. Noel, who stepped into the starting lineup for Friday's loss after opening the season on the bench, has made all nine of his shots on the season to go along with five blocks and four steals.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (2-0): Eric Gordon started in place of Paul in Wednesday's win and finished with 25 points, although he needed 23 shots to get there. Center Clint Capela carried much of the load with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting to go along with 17 rebounds and three steals, while James Harden moved to the point guard position and handed out nine assists versus just two turnovers. Trevor Ariza missed all five of his 3-point attempts in the victory and is 3-for-15 from the floor on the season.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Gordon is 4-for-19 beyond the arc through the first two games.

2. Nowitzki has 1,784 career 3-pointers, three behind Rashard Lewis for 13th on the NBA's all-time list.

3. Houston has won 10 of the last 13 meetings, including all four last season.

PREDICTION: Rockets 119, Mavericks 102