Despite a monster game from Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks weren’t able to upset the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series on Monday and Phoenix, is again a solid home favorite on the NBA odds for Game 2 Wednesday.
How to Bet Mavericks at Suns NBA Odds & TV Info
- When: Wednesday, 10 PM ET
- Where: Footprint Center
- TV: TNT
- Stream: TNT app
- Radio: Tunein.com
- NBA Odds: Suns -6 (total 216)
Why Bet on Dallas?
The Mavericks were 6-point underdogs for Game 1 and just failed to cover in a 121-1114 loss. Luka Doncic hit 15-of-30 shots, four 3-pointers and 11-of-14 free throws for 45 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. The Mavs made a run in the fourth quarter and won it 35-25, but never really threatened to win this game. Luka’s 45 points pushed him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob McAdoo and Rick Barry for the most points in their first 16 playoff games, leaving him only behind Michael Jordan, who got him by 64 points.
The rest of the Mavs’ starters combined for only 39 points, the second time in Doncic’s 17 career playoff games that he scored more points than the other four players in Dallas’ starting lineup.
“He got whatever he wanted, when you look at the shots in the paint, behind the arc, midrange, and then also I thought he got his teammates some great looks that we normally had made,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought he played great.”
In outscoring the Suns, 35-25, in the fourth quarter, the Mavs eventually got within 119-114 of the Suns with 10.5 seconds left after Doncic drained a three-pointer. But it just wasn’t enough time left to complete an improbable comeback.
Jalen Brunson was so good in the Utah series but hit only 6-of-16 shots for 13 points with four rebounds. Brunson was invisible for the first three quarters. Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Spencer Dinwiddie are other options for the team. But their numbers were also pretty poor on Monday: 7, 15, and 8 respectively.
Maxi Kleber took a scary fall on his back in Game 1 but was able to play through it. Kleber went off for five 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 19 points, one rebound, one block and five triples in the game but didn’t look the same after a scary fall onto his back after he hung on the rim after a dunk attempt. Kleber should be fine to play.
Why Bet on Phoenix?
The Suns got too many uncontested shots and grabbed too many rebounds in Game 1 and led, 96-79, after three quarters. While the Mavs regrouped in the fourth quarter, the damage had already been done as the Suns went on to win, 121-114. The Mavs were uncharacteristically down 9-0 less than three minutes into the game. They also were behind, 22-7, with five minutes still remaining in the first quarter.
“We didn’t come out with the right energy,” the Mavs’ Maxi Kleber said. “Maybe as a team we were a little bit nervous. But I think it’s things that we can fix, because we showed that we can do it. We came back and made the game close.”
In their previous five games against Phoenix, the Mavs took at least a five-point lead into the fourth quarter before giving up at least 30 points in that final quarter and losing all five of those games.
Deandre Ayton made his presence felt in Game 1, leading the Suns in scoring with 25 points on 12-for-20 shooting. Ayton scored 20 points in the paint while splashing in a couple of jump shots. He only took one free throw. The center pulled down eight rebounds on the night, was a +10 in 33 minutes and took advantage of a Mavericks team with less size than he saw in the first round against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Cameron Johnson came off the bench and hit 6-of-10 shots and three 3-pointers for a playoff career-high 17 points. Chris Paul had 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. Devin Booker had 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. His 13 points in the first quarter were the driving force behind the Suns’ immediate advantage and he was moving much, much better compared to his return from the hamstring injury on Thursday.
Phoenix’s offense was very good better at putting pressure on the defense in a way that led to open looks across the floor.
“I like the fact that we were not settling for the 3s tonight,” head coach Monty Williams said. “A lot of our guys were attacking the paint. We were getting floaters, rim shots and then we were playing in paint to great. That was the focus. Once we had a good shot, we can take it but let’s try to get a great shot.”
Game Trends
- Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.
- Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Mavericks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games as a road underdog.
- Suns are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Suns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Mavericks are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Phoenix.
Expert Prediction
- Suns 109, Mavericks 102