The Dallas Mavericks (9-5) face the Phoenix Suns (11-3) at Footprint Center for the second time in three nights Friday. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Mavericks vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Suns defeated the Mavericks 105-98 Wednesday night for their 10th consecutive victory. Dallas led by five points entering the final quarter before the Suns outscored them 37-25 in that frame. G Devin Booker led the Suns with 24 points and C Deandre Ayton added 19 points and 13 boards.
The Mavs were without G Luka Doncic Wednesday and were led by G Tim Hardaway’s 22 points while C Kristaps Porzingis added 21 and 8 boards. The Mavericks had won two straight, and five of six, games before the loss to the Suns.
Mavericks at Suns odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:26 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Mavericks +265 (bet $100 to win $265) | Suns -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Mavericks +7.5 (-115) | Suns -7.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Mavericks at Suns key injuries
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) doubtful
- F Maxi Kleber (oblique) out
Suns
- C Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
- F Dario Saric (knee) out
Mavericks at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 115, Mavericks 100
Money line
The money line is priced such that the only way it is worth betting is to expect the Mavericks to come away with an outright win.
The Mavericks have not lost consecutive games all season. In fact, they have not lost two consecutive regular-season games since April 16 and 18 last season.
However, two games in a row against the same team often has one close game and one game that goes a little sideways. The Mavs had their close game without Doncic Wednesday.
I don’t think they have an upset in them without Doncic again Friday. PASS on the money line.
Against the spread
The Mavs had their close game — they were in the lead much of the game before the Suns caught fire in the fourth quarter. The Mavs covered the 8-point spread by 1 point.
It was the third time in their last four games that the Mavs covered the spread while the Suns failed to cover in a win for the second straight game. Phoenix is 7-3 ATS during its 10 game win streak.
With Doncic likely out for the second straight game and the Suns basically at full health, and with the fourth quarter going the way it did in the last game, I expect that more from the start.
Take the SUNS -7.5 (-107).
Over/Under
Wednesday’s game stayed Under the projected total.
It was the fourth straight game for the Suns, and the fifth game out of six, that went Under.
It was the first time in four games the Mavs had a game stay Under the projected total.
I expect some offensive carryover from the fourth quarter, when the teams combined for 62 points.
Take OVER 211.5 (-110).
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