Mavericks vs. Suns: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Mavericks vs. Suns Odds
| Mavericks Odds | +1.5 |
| Suns Odds | -1.5 |
| Over/Under | 221 |
| Date | Thu, Jan. 26 |
| Time | 10:00 p.m. |
| TV | TNT |
Tonight, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks will meet the Phoenix Suns in the valley for the nightcap of TNT’s NBA double-header. Entering play on Thursday, Dallas (25-24) and Phoenix (25-24) are tied for the sixth-best record in the Western Conference. Oddsmakers are expecting a competitive game script between these two teams this evening, pricing Phoenix as 1-point home favorites on the spread.
Dallas Mavericks
Struggles on the road
In 23 road games this season, Dallas is 8-15 overall, ranking 23rd out of 30 teams in Net Rating. A primary point of weakness for the Mavericks away from home has been their inability to defend inside-the-arc. Dallas has struggled around the rim, ranking worse than league average in opponent field goal percentage in the restricted area and in the paint, in addition to being victimized by opponents in the mid-range, ranking 27th in opponent field goal percentage from that area of the floor.
Wood OUT
Tonight, Christian Wood will miss his fourth consecutive game. In three games since he last took the floor, Dallas is 1-2, with a win over the Miami Heat, followed by losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Dallas ranks in the 76th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 36th percentile in defensive efficiency this season when Wood is on the court, compared to the 72nd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 31st percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
According to CourtIQ, Spencer Dinwiddie (+2.5%) sees the largest increase in usage when Wood is off of the floor. In these situations, he is averaging 20.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.8 rebounds per 36 minutes of action.
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Phoenix Suns
Booker, Payne, Shamet remain OUT
Devin Booker has played a total of four minutes since December 17. In his absence, Phoenix is 7-12 overall, ranking 26th out of 30 teams in Net Rating. Playing at home during that stretch, the Suns are 5-4, having outscored their opponents by 2.5 points per 100 possessions. In that span, they have defeated the Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Ayton poised for strong performance
Per CourtIQ, when Devin Booker, Cameron Payne, and Landry Shamet are all off the floor at the same time this season, Deandre Ayton (+4.3%) sees the largest increase of any Phoenix player in usage. In these situations, Ayton is averaging 22.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per 36 minutes. According to props.cash, Ayton has scored 18 points or more in seven of his 11 games with both Booker and Payne in street clothes this year.
Mavericks vs. Suns – Picks & Predictions
In their last nine road games, the Dallas Mavericks rank 27th in defensive efficiency, allowing 119.5 points per 100 possessions. The Phoenix Suns have won each of their last four contests and tonight get another home game against a short-handed opponent. Since Devin Booker last played meaningful minutes on December 17, Phoenix ranks fifth in the NBA in defensive efficiency at home. Expect them to make life difficult for Luka Doncic and company in this spot – trust the home favorites to get the job done.
PICK: Suns -1 (-110, Caesars)
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