The Phoenix Suns (9-8) tip off the first of a two-game miniseries with the Dallas Mavericks (8-11) Saturday in the American Airlines Center at 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Suns-Mavericks NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Phoenix snapped a three-game losing skid by beating the brakes off of the Golden State Warriors 114-93 as 2-point home favorites. It was the Suns’ third game without leading-scorer SG Devin Booker. The Suns are just 2-5 overall (2-5 against the spread) in their previous seven games.
The Mavericks were pasted in back-to-back games by the Utah Jazz and are on a four-game losing streak coming into Saturday (0-4 ATS). Dallas has been struggling more than Phoenix and is just 2-7 overall and 3-6 ATS in its past nine games.
The Suns handled business at home vs. the Mavericks 106-102 as 1-point favorites in both teams’ first game of the season. In fact, Phoenix has won and covered four consecutive games against Dallas.
Suns at Mavericks: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Suns -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Mavericks -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Suns +1.5 (-115) | Mavericks -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 214.5 (O: -110 | U: -100)
Suns at Mavericks: Key injuries
Suns
- SG Devin Booker (hamstring) out
- PG Cameron Payne (foot) out
Mavericks
- PF Maxi Kleber (COVID-19) out
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Suns at Mavericks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Suns 109, Mavericks 103
Money line (ML)
Both of these teams play a similar style—slow-paced led by ball-dominant guards—however, the Suns execute so much more efficiently. Phoenix is ninth in net rating while Dallas is 20th.
For Dallas, I know they’ve dealt with some bad injury and COVID-19 luck, but the Mavericks were the No. 1 ranked offense in the Association last season compared to their 19th-ranked offensive rating this season. Their defense is even worse this season. Five of Dallas’ previous six losses have been by at least 12 points and they are the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA right now.
It’s hard to not overreact to how poorly Dallas has played through its first 19 games. I’m fading Dallas until further notice. TAKE SUNS (-105) for 1 unit.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS on the spread since we aren’t even getting a full basket worth of insurance.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS with a lean towards the Under 214.5 (-110). The previous three Suns-Mavericks games have fallen short of the total, and these teams have a combined 13-25 O/U record. My hesitation is this is a buy-low point for Dallas’s offense, and it’s the first Mavericks’ game projected below 217.5 points.
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Also see:
- 2021 NBA Mock Draft consensus 1.0: The complete first round (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Suns | Mavericks
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