The Dallas Mavericks (43-31) meet the Phoenix Suns (33-39) Thursday in the Orlando bubble for a 4 p.m. ET tip-off We analyze the Mavericks-Suns NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Mavericks vs. Suns: Key injuries
Mavericks
- SG Seth Curry (leg) probable
- PF Maxi Kleber (knee) probable
- PF Kristaps Porzingis (heel) doubtful
- PG Jalen Brunson (shoulder) out
- PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out
- SG Courtney Lee (calf) out
- C Willie Cauley-Stein (personal) out
- SF Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) probable
Suns
- PF Cameron Johnson (knee) probable
- C Aron Baynes (knee) probable
- SF Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) doubtful
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Mavericks vs. Suns: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Suns 127, Mavericks, 113
Moneyline (ML)
It’s the final game of the seed schedule for both teams and the Suns (-455) come in as HEAVY favorites because their season is on the line.
Phoenix can earn a berth into the 8-seed play-in series with a win and either a Portland Trail Blazers or a Memphis Grizzlies loss. They beat Dallas in their last meeting, which was in the bubble, after coming back from 15 points down to pull out a 117-115 victory.
The Mavericks (+333) already know their playoff future as they are slated to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2- and 7-seed matchup in the first round.
Dallas was edged out late in its last game, 134-131, by the Trail Blazers. Judging by the injury report, the only thing on the Mavericks’ mind is having all their horses when the first round tips off.
PASS ON THE MONEYLINE because it would be shocking if mostly Dallas backups were to beat the bubble’s only undefeated team, Phoenix, in a “must-win”.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Even if Dallas were fully healthy, there is no one to stop SG Devin Booker from lighting them up. He has scored 30-plus points in three of his last four games against the Mavericks +9 (-110).
The Suns -9 (-110) has beaten Dallas in back-to-back games this season (2-1 in the season series) and have covered eight of their last 10 meetings. Phoenix has won and covered in all seven of its bubble games heading into Thursday’s game.
Nine points is a ridiculous number to lay versus a Dallas team that is the most offensively efficient team in the NBA, but Phoenix is 4-2 against the spread when laying 7.5-9.5 points. They’ve covered as 9.5-point and 7.5-point favorites in their last two games.
BET SUNS -9 (-110). New to sports betting? A $110 bet on the Suns -9 (-110) returns a $100 profit if Phoenix beats Dallas by double-digits.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 237.5 (-110) is the play on the total. Their combined Over/Under record is 83-63 on the season, and both teams have gone Over the projected total in their last three games. Also, the Over has cashed in three of the last four Mavericks-Suns contests.
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