As part of the NBA China Games 2026 series, the Rockets and Mavericks will face off in a pair of overseas exhibitions next October.

Thankfully, the Houston Rockets have managed to climb back from a rough stretch of December basketball to end 2025 on a three-game winning streak. After Monday night's 126-119 win over the Indiana Pacers, the Rockets will end what has been a strange month with a 7-6 record, 20-10 overall.

Kevin Durant had 22 points and a season-high 11 assists, Amen Thompson scored 23 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-96 for their fourth straight victory.

Preview the Houston Rockets' NBA matchup with Phoenix, including live stream, TV channel, odds, and game information.

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will play two pre-season NBA games in China next October at Macao, the league announced on Monday.The games will be contested October 9 and 11 at the Venetian Arena and follow the NBA's return to China last October with two pre-season games between the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets.

In four head-to-head matchups with Durant on Christmas, LeBron James has averaged 40.3 PRA, posting totals of 32, 35, 46, and 48. In 19 career Christmas games, James has averaged 41.4 PRA, and he’s gone for at least 32 in all but one. This may be King James’ final Christmas contest, so I expect him to show out.

The Mavericks and Houston will play two preseason games in Macao in October as part of the NBA China Games 2026. A rumor that was unofficially blurted last October by Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont became reality with Monday’s joint announcement by the NBA and Sands China Ltd.

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) greets fans during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. The Houston Astros and Houston Rockets are now selling access to ...