| Monday, May 2<\/th>\n | NBA Betting Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n |
|---|---|
| Point Spread:<\/td>\n | Phoenix Suns -6 vs Dallas Mavericks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Total:<\/td>\n | 214.5 Points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Game Time:<\/td>\n | 10:00pm ET \/ 7:00pm PT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Arena:<\/td>\n | Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| TV:<\/td>\n | TNT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nSuns vs Mavericks Analysis<\/h2>\nThe Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns play Game 1 of their conference semifinals matchup on Monday night. Both teams won their first round series in six games, the Mavs beat the Utah Jazz while the Suns took care of business against the New Orleans Pelicans.<\/p>\n The Suns swept the regular season series against the Mavs 3-0, winning 105-98, 112-104 and 109-101. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 PM EST from the Footprint Center in Phoenix.<\/p>\n Booker Back For Suns<\/h3>\nThe Phoenix Suns overcame a Devin Booker injury in the process of beating the New Orleans Pelicans in six games. Booker went down with hamstring strain in Game 2 but was able to return and help clinch the series in Game 6.<\/p>\n In the series clinching game Chris Paul scored a game high 33 points, DeAndre Ayton also chipped in with 22 points of his own. The Suns have been led by their big three in the post-season.<\/p>\n Booker and Paul are both averaging around 23 points a game, while DeAndre Ayton is averaging 20.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. While Booker and Paul get all the attention, this game and series could very well hinge on the play of Mikal Bridges.<\/p>\n Bridges had some big games against New Orleans and will be tasked with guarding Luka Doncic. Bridges work ethic has to be admired.<\/p>\n He plays 40+ minutes a game like it’s nothing and you would have to go back his high school days to find a game that he missed. Ironically, the Suns were 32-9 both at home and on the road this season but nonetheless will enjoy homecourt advantage tonight and in the series.<\/p>\n Doncic and Mavericks Move On<\/h3>\nThe Dallas Mavericks also overcame the loss of their superstar Luka Doncic for three games during their last series against the Utah Jazz. Jalen Brunson really stepped up, the Villanova product scored 24, 31 and 41 points in those three games without Doncic.<\/p>\n Brunson ended up averaging 27.8 points per game in the series, while Doncic averaged 29 a game. Dorrian Finney-Smith also chipped in with 13.2 points per game.<\/p>\n The Mavericks have gotten this far based on their defense. They ranked 2nd behind only the Golden State Warriors in defensive rating, while playing at the slowest pace in the entire league.<\/p>\n Dallas will need to continue playing elite defense to contain this hot Suns team that has averaged over 128 points in their last two games.<\/p>\n Suns vs Mavericks Prediction<\/h2>\nThe Phoenix Suns are favored by 6 points with a total of 214.5. During the regular season we saw two of three games go under this total, with the lone over being only 216 total points.<\/p>\n Dallas struggled to score against Phoenix, but they did a great job limiting them as well. The most the Suns scored against Dallas was 112 points and this is the playoffs.<\/p>\n Defense gets ratcheted up and in a Game 1 both teams are feeling each other out to see how they will attack the other.<\/p>\n Bridges and the Suns should be able to contain Doncic and keep the Mavs under 100 points. Look for Dallas to slow the pace in an attempt to slow the Suns once again, pushing this total under 214.5.<\/p>\n Prediction: Under 214.5<\/strong><\/p>\n \n |
![\"NBA](\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/nba-stats-5-2-1.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/eRQJVd9XXGs\/maxresdefault.jpg\")