The No. 1 seed Phoenix Suns (1-0) host the No. 4 seed Dallas Mavericks (0-1) Wednesday for Game 2 in the Western Conference semifinals at Footprint Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we look at the Mavericks vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Phoenix held off a late Dallas surge to win 121-114 in Game 1 and cover as 6-point home favorites. The Suns bodied the Mavs on the glass, grabbing 15 more rebounds (51-36), and had 11 more assists (27-16).
Mavs All-Star Luka Doncic dropped 45 points on 50.0% shooting (15 of 30) with 12 rebounds and 8 assists. Suns All-Star SG Devin Booker nearly notched a triple-double with a 23-9-8 stats line while Suns big Deandre Ayton had a team-high 25 points on 60.0% shooting (12 of 20).
The Suns have beaten the Mavs in 7 straight meetings dating back to the beginning of last season, including the playoffs, and are 5-2 against the spread (ATS) in those games.
Mavericks at Suns odds and lines
- Money line (ML): Mavericks +205 (bet $100 to win $205) | Suns -260 (bet $260 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Mavericks +6.5 (-120) | Suns -6.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 215.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Mavericks at Suns key injuries
Mavericks
- None
Suns
- None
Mavericks at Suns picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 110, Mavericks 101
Money line
PASS although I like the Suns (-260) to take a 2-0 series lead over the Mavericks (+205) before heading to Dallas.
On paper, Game 1 looked a lot closer than it was but almost all of the fourth quarter was garbage time and the Suns completely took their foot off the gas.
More importantly, Phoenix’s pick-and-roll (PnR) action is a nightmare matchup for Dallas. The Suns have the highest PnR efficiency through ball handlers in these playoffs while the Mavs have the fourth-worst PnR defensive efficiency against ball handlers.