With three losses in four games undermining what was a strong start to the season, the Dallas Mavericks received good news on Monday when All-NBA guard Luka Doncic was cleared to play Tuesday after sustaining a left thumb sprain against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Doncic, who entered the week third in the NBA in scoring (30.5 points per game) and sixth in assists per game (7.8), practiced Monday with his thumb wrapped. He underwent X-rays at halftime against the Clippers yet finished with 30 points, three rebounds and four assists in the 107-88 loss. The Mavericks lamented their lack of physicality against the Clippers, an issue that might play a significant factor when they host the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in the final West Group B game for both teams in the NBA in-season tournament. The Rockets entered the week leading the league in defensive rating at 106.8, while the Mavericks were without defensive-minded rookie center Dereck Lively II (back). An additional concern for Dallas was the offensive imbalance displayed while producing a season-low point total. Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined for 63 of the Mavericks' 91 shot attempts against the Clippers, a disparity that requires immediate rectifying. We like the over here. We think this is an up and down affair, and both teams get theirs on each end. Let's rollwith the over.