The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks hook up in a Monday NBA Preseason battle as the division rivals fine tune their offense and defense in preparation for the 2013 season. Check out the TV schedule with game time and channel info for this preseason meeting. 

Game Time: 8 p.m. ET 

TV Channel: NBA TV, KTXA, CSN Houston 

NBA TV will broadcast the action live, nationally. Check out that telecast and find out where if you have access to that channel as two Southwest teams face off. 

Neither the Rockets, nor the Mavericks are in first place. It is not really a surprise to see the Mavericks struggle. They truly capitalized in their championship appearance back in 2011 as they are no longer a threat in the West. However, the Rockets, though they have one of they have a team that is carrying championship hype, are also a few games back in the standings. It's the New Orleans Pelicans with the lead as they are 6-0 in 2013. 

The Rockets are 3-1 and the Mavericks are 3-2 so far in the preseason. It is not surprising to see which guys are leading their team in these exhibition games. Rich Harden has averaged 21 points in the Rockets' four games, while Dirk Nowitzki is still lethal on the floor, averaging 15.3 points per game. New Maverick, Monta Ellis is averaging 6.2 assists and two steals per game, while Patrick Beverley is working to steal Jeremy Lin's starting job, picking up 2.2 steals per game.

Dwight Howard owns the paint with 1.8 blocks per game, but he is dead wrong if he is expecting to get the ball all the time as Harden has proven that he is the real deal in Houston.

The Rockets are coming off a tight 108-104 victory over the Orlando Magic. It took a team effort, but it was Harden who stepped up and locked up the game, scoring 21 points. The Rockets' defense fell asleep at the end of the game, allowing 31 points and almost losing the ball game.

The Mavericks are coming off a loss to the first place Pelicans, though it was a very tight game. The final score read 94-92 as the Mavericks defense could not stop New Orleans in the final qauarter. The Pelicans outscored the Mavericks 32-25, running away with the lead at the end of the game. 

Do not forget to tune into NBA TV and if this channel is not accessible to you, check out the local stations for all the preseason action.