The Dallas Mavericks will meet the Phoenix Suns for Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals in Arizona. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Mavericks-Suns prediction and pick.
The Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz 98-96 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals to win the series in six games. Luka Doncic led the way with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Additionally, Jalen Brunson scored 24 points with nine rebounds and eight assists. Dorian Finney-Smith added 18 points, including four makes from beyond the arc. In addition to that, Spencer Dinwiddie provided 19 points with four 3-pointers. The Mavs won the series despite Doncic not playing for the first half of the series. Now, Doncic is back, and the Mavericks are ready to battle the top-seeded Suns.
The Suns defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals to close their series in six games. Chris Paul scored 33 points, converting all 14 of his shots. He broke the record for most shots converted without a miss in an NBA playoff game. The only player in NBA history to have more shots converted without a miss overall is Wilt Chamberlain, who did it three times in the regular season throughout his career. Paul hit 10 of his shots from the mid-range area. Additionally, he converted three shots from the paint, capitalizing on golden opportunities. Paul also converted one shot from beyond the arc.
Deandre Ayton produced 22 points while shooting 10-of-12 from the floor. Mikal Bridges added 18 points, while Devin Booker returned to the lineup and finished with 13 points. Booker suffered a strained right hamstring in Game 2 and missed three games. Now, he is back and managed one game under his belt. Phoenix will look to its megastar to take some of the burden off Paul against Dallas.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Mavericks-Suns odds for Game 1 and the series.
NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavericks-Suns Odds
Mavericks: +5.5 (-114) for Game 1 and +240 for series
Suns: -5.5 (-105) for Game 1 and -295 for series
Over: 214 (-110)
Under: 214 (-110)
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Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread
Dallas is fully healthy outside of Tim Hardaway Jr., who has been out for a while. The Mavs have Doncic available to score when needed, but this game and series will come down to three things.
Can the Mavericks stop Booker and Paul? Dallas must develop a defensive scheme that contains these top players. It must slow down the Phoenix attack by any means necessary. Finney-Smith will take on the task of guarding Booker and will have to be on him at every turn. The Mavs lost all three regular-season games against the Suns. They must find ways to turn the series on its heels and steal one in the desert.
The Mavericks ranked 23rd in the NBA in total points and 18th in field goal percentage during the regular season. Additionally, Dallas ranked 24th in rebounding. The Mavs must put up buckets and win the battle on the boards. Doncic helps out in this aspect, but he will need Dinwiddie, Brunson, and Finney-Smith to chip in to overtake the Suns.
The Mavericks will cover the spread if they can find ways to score and rebound. Additionally, Doncic needs his teammates to assist him in putting up points across the board. Dallas will cover if it can clamp down on Booker and Paul and prevent them from torching them.
Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
Phoenix is healthy once again and will look to pick up the pace that helped them achieve the best record in the NBA. Now, they have the difficult task of stopping Doncic. Bridges will have the assignment of facing the Dallas All-Star.
The Suns were the top team in field goal percentage during the regular season and eighth in rebounds. Ironically, the Suns struggled in the rebounding department throughout the first round, and this was a huge reason it took them six games to complete. Phoenix must find ways to counter Dallas and box them out in the paint. The Suns went 3-0 against the Mavericks in the regular season. Additionally, they went into Dallas and beat them 109-101 behind a monster comeback in which they rallied from an 11-point third-quarter deficit to win.
The Suns will cover the spread if they can convert on their field goals and win the battle on the boards. In addition to that, Phoenix must stop Doncic and force other players to beat them.
Final Mavericks-Suns Prediction & Pick
Both teams suffered injuries to their best players, which gives them something in common. However, the Suns are the best team in the NBA for a reason and will show the Mavs how good they are with a full squad. The Suns will win and cover, and they will then go on to win a hard-fought series in seven games.
Final Mavericks-Suns Prediction & Pick: Suns -5.5 (-105) for Game 1 and Suns -295 for series
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