When looking at how to bet on NBA, it is always interesting to see a series between team’s that had similar experiences in the first round. Phoenix Suns was forced to play without star guard Devin Booker and had some iffy moments against a feisty Pelicans team. Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, was also forced to play without star Luka Doncic for several games.
The Mavericks played tough without Doncic and were able to weather the storm until he got back. Once Doncic returned, Dallas was able to close out Utah in six games. Both teams will need their star players to turn in another strong series to get back to the Western Conference final. Phoenix is hoping to get back for the second straight season, while the Mavericks haven’t advanced that far since they won the NBA title in 2011.
Last games records
Dallas beat Utah 98-96 April 28 in Salt Lake City. The Mavericks won the series 4-2. Phoenix beat the Pelicans 115-109 April 28 in New Orleans. The Suns won the series 4-2.
Matchup information
Mavericks at Suns Betting Analysis
Dallas Betting Analysis
Dallas was able to lean on its excellent defense to survive the few games of the previous series without Doncic. Despite playing a Utah squad loaded with offensive firepower, the Mavericks never looked overmatched. The Mavericks finished 2-1 without Doncic.
Once Doncic returned, he quickly asserted his control over Dallas. Doncic averaged 29.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. In Doncic’s absence, Jalen Brunson was the Mavericks’ top scorer as he averaged 27.8 points per game in the series against Utah. Spencer Dinwiddie also demonstrated his scoring touch, scoring 5.3 points per game.
Dallas shot efficiently in the first round, making 44.4 percent of its shots from the field. The Mavericks were below their season average in 3-point shooting, making 37.1 percent of its shots from the perimeter.
Phoenix Betting Analysis
Devin Booker’s return in Game 6 helped steady the Suns. While Phoenix has a balanced offense, the Suns had to work much harder without him in the lineup. Booker has averaged 23.0 points per game this postseason.
Veteran point guard Chris Paul has been outstanding throughout this postseason. Paul, who has yet to win a title in his career, is averaging 22.3 points and 11.3 assists per game. Phoenix’s 3-point shooting was poor in the first round.
The Suns only made 31.9 percent of their 3-pointers from the perimeter. Booker led Phoenix by making 3.0 3-pointers per game. Cam Johnson was second on the team, making 1.7 treys per contest. Despite the poor outside shooting, Phoenix would shoot 52.3 percent from the field overall against the Pelicans.
Updates
Dallas has no injuries of note for Game 1. Phoenix has no injuries of note for Game 1.
- Dallas is 52-34-2 against the spread.
- Phoenix is 48-40 against the spread.
- The over has gone 33-53-2 in the Mavericks’ games.
- The over has gone 45-43 in the Suns’ games.
- Dallas is 28-25-2 against the spread following a win.
- Phoenix is 37-30 against the spread following a win.
Mavericks at Suns Betting Preview
Betting stats NBA have Phoenix as a 5.5-point favorite. The Suns are -235 on the moneyline, while the Mavericks are +260. Anyone looking to make a different kind of NBA picks can bet on the over/under, which is set at 214.5.
Mavericks at Suns Betting Prediction
Phoenix appeared to have major defensive struggles against the eighth-seeded Pelicans in the first round. While Booker’s injuries hurt, Phoenix’s overall defensive effort wasn’t perfect with Booker either. If the Suns’ 3-point shooting doesn’t return, the series against Dallas will be a tough one.
The Mavericks are an excellent defensive team that made the Utah Jazz, which has a lot of size and is a good shooting team, work for everything it earned during the series. Despite concerns about Doncic’s late-season injury, he looked effective during the three games he played in. The question for Dallas will be if can the Mavericks find enough secondary scoring to threaten Phoenix to steal the series?
The Suns are likely still the best team in the Western Conference but expect to see some more rust in Game 1. Phoenix has had a lot of players in and out of the lineup during the second half of the season. Dallas is comfortable playing together and has shown what they are capable of.
Expect the Mavericks to cover the spread in Game 1 and may be able to steal a win to open the series.
How to bet on Mavericks at Suns
Bet Dallas +5.5
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