Suns vs Mavericks Betting Preview: Scorching Suns Head to Dallas
Suns Look for Redemption in Dallas
Suns Aiming to Keep Top Spot in West
The Phoenix Suns are back atop the Western Conference standings as they head to Dallas looking to avenge their playoff disappointments from last season. Let’s take a look at our Suns vs Mavericks betting preview to see what value is on offer for bettors.
The Suns come into this showdown having won seven of their last eight games as they assume command of the Western Conference NBA standings after the first quarter of the season. Despite playing without Chris Paul or Cameron Johnson for the majority of games this season the team has seemingly found a way to instil its identity behind the stellar play of Devin Booker, who is averaging 39.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in his last four outings.
Meanwhile, the Mavs are yet to find the consistency they expected to experience this season despite the MVP efforts from Luka Doncic. They are an NBA-worst 6-15-1 (28.6%) ATS on the season and have not won back-to-back games since mid-November. Despite this, the home side has opened as 3.5-point favorites against the team they ousted in last seasons Western Conference semi-finals. The total for this game sits at 221.5 points.
Game Information
Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks
Date, time (TV):
Location: American Airlines Center
Booker Looks to Stay Cookin’
The absence of CP3 has allowed for Booker to elevate his game once more as he cements himself among the top-tier superstars in the NBA right now. While the NBA injury report hasn’t been kind to the Suns this season coach Monty Williams continues to find ways to maximize the efforts of those available, including the often maligned Deandre Ayton.
Ayton’s efforts in the NBA postseason last year drew criticism from all angles as he became a scapegoat for Phoenix’s failures in their series loss to the Mavs. He did get some revenge on opening night as the Suns toppled the Mavs in front of their home fans, with Ayton recording 18 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes of action. In his last six games, Ayton is averaging 22.8 points and 12.5 rebounds as he continues to show why the Suns’ front office gave him that max contract extension in the off-season.
Dominating the boards will go a long way to ensuring success against a Dallas team that cannot be afforded second chance opportunities give the plethora of shooting they have on the floor at any one time.
Mavs Look for Spark
The Mavs are arguably one of the more disappointing teams so far this season when you look at what star guard Luka Doncic is providing for them on a near nightly basis.
The Slovenian sensation is averaging 33.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.6 assists on the season as he continues to carry the workload on offense a team still desperate for consistency from its shooters.
Dallas had one of the most dependable three-point shooters on their team last season as they battled through to their first Western Conference Finals appearance since drafting Doncic, but things haven’t been replicated this season with their shooters unable to replicate their feats from the last campaign.
The return of Tim Hardaway Jr from injury may be what the team needed to turn things around, with the former Knick reinstated to the starting lineup recently and helping to spark a mini-revival from this offense. In his three games with the starters, Hardaway Jr is averaging 25.3 points while shooting over 50% from the field. He’s also shot 19-for-38 from beyond the arc in that stretch.
Offense can can find a way back to being a top-10 unit then we should begin to see this team return to a top team.
That level of consistency could be what Dallas needs to spark them into life. Their defense continues to operate at a high-level this season – ranking 8th in Defensive Rating on the season. If their offense can can find a way back to being a top-10 unit then we should begin to see this team return to a top team in the Western Conference.
These teams met on Opening Night as the Suns overcame 15-point deficit with just nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to provide what ultimately proved to be real sense of what was to come for both teams through the opening 20 games.
This game figures to follow that script as well as a true rivalry begins to form between the two franchises, ignited by the war-of-words between respective stars Booker and Doncic. Another half court rock-fight figures to be forthcoming and the basketball points total seems largely inflated in a game where both teams are very familiar with what the other is trying to do on offense. The Under seems the best bet here and would be the only way to play this match up.
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