Suns vs Mavericks

A sports television personality likes the Dallas Mavericks' chances of beating the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Playoffs after Game 1 of the series.

The Suns have the better roster. The Suns might have the better coach. … I believe the Pelicans come back to Phoenix for Game 7. He's doing it because he's trying to play some mind games that will not work with the Dallas Mavericks … This series is going to be a war. Did it despite Jae Crowder going full Chris Paul and kicking him in the groin mid-game. "Suns have no answer for Luka. Phoenix got every rebound & hit 3 desperation end of shot clock shots in the 2nd half that killed any comeback attempt.

The NBA Playoff series between the Suns and Mavericks will feature some of the most talented perimeter players in the league. Phoenix guard Chris Paul was ...

TBD TBD TBD TBD TSN 4 TSN 1/3/4/5

Rundown of biggest storyline, key matchup, team stats, who could emerge as the Suns' X-factor, and injury report for Monday's Game 1 in Phoenix.

Also, the Suns will have to worry about Dallas' small ball schemes on both ends of the floor and defending the perimeter. But Game 1 in the West semifinals could be Dallas' moment of redemption to curb Phoenix fans from screaming "Suns in 4!" The young man does not back down from a matchup." Storyline: The Mavericks have yet to beat the Suns this season. You find me an elite scorer who plays defense like him," Suns coach Monty Williams said about Booker at their practice on Sunday. "Just find one. So we just gotta be ready to move our feet without fouling." Brunson's production spiked during Doncic's absence and after he came back, and he's seventh in scoring. - Will Chris Paul need to save the Suns in the fourth quarters this series like he did in Games 1, 3, and 6 against the Pelicans? - Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (11.0 points per game in the regular season, 13.2 during the playoffs, 39.5% from the perimeter in the regular season and this postseason). He's increased his scoring and 3-point FG% averages in every season to begin his career, becoming the first player in NBA history to increase his ppg and 3FG% in every season over a five-year stretch. "A lot of small ball going on. - Mavericks and Suns are squaring off in the postseason for the third time ever and the first since facing each other in consecutive years in 2005 and 2006. - Will Booker be back to form, scoring in the mid-20s like he did against the Pelicans before he suffered his hamstring injury in Game 2?

Luka Doncic scored 45 big points, but Suns held big lead all game long. The game was not as close as the final scores.

It looks to me, as a NON-expert on this stuff, that the Suns plan is a try to defend Luka with one guy and only a little bit of help. Paul and Booker straightened out the Suns a bit, pulling back to a 10-point lead, but Doncic was in total attack mode at this point. Chris Paul has only played 21 minutes in this one (12/4/3). The Cams have shot well in this one, with 22 points on 14 shots combined. But the back side defenders aren’t trusting it enough, and they’re sinking into the paint to try to help but ending up in no-mans land — not close enough to stop Luka without reaching in (foul) but too far away from the three-point shooter to contest. Dallas’ goal in this game is clearly to get side open back side threes and they’re getting them, but nothing else is quite working and the Suns offense is totally humming. The Mavs then turned to Maxi Kleber at center so they could spread the floor with their three playmakers and try to break down the Suns the way they broke the Jazz. It didn’t work. Luka grabs so much attention, the Suns defense is sinking too low to contest. By then, the Mavericks had used 9-17 three-point shooting to pull back to 51-47. At the end of one, the stars did their thing — Luka with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and Booker with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Finally, on their third small-ball possession, the Mavs got a corner three from Kleber on a Doncic drive. Ayton scored on an and-one roll to the basket and it’s 12-4 Suns. In the final seconds, they got it down to 5.

Luka Doncic has been money in the playoffs. Will he makes us some more money as he travels to Phoenix for Game 1.

NY, AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV only. NY, AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV only. +630 implies that he does it once in this series, which has shown to be mostly untrue. Must be 21+. AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY only. Moreover, he has three or more in five of his last six games. For player prop bets, any ‘3-pointers made’ bets are worthy ones, especially for players like Reggie Bullock, Doncic and even Dorian Finney-Smith 21+. New customers only. Conversely, the Suns do not take nearly as many 3-pointers. This is up drastically from their prior 52 games in which they averaged 12.3 three-pointers made, just 14th in the league. 21+. New customers only. Let’s start with this: In his career, Doncic has only been eliminated from playoff contention by Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. Both of those playoff series were incredibly close and even last year’s series went seven games. New customers only.

The Dallas Mavericks have been on the wrong side of a one-way rivalry with the Phoenix Suns and are hoping to record their first win since Nov. 29 of 2019.

- Jan 05, 2017 - Phoenix 102 vs. - Jan 12, 2017 - Dallas 113 vs. - Jan 31, 2018 - Phoenix 102 vs. - Apr 09, 2017 - Phoenix 124 vs. - Jan 09, 2019 - Dallas 104 vs. - Jan 28, 2020 - Phoenix 133 vs. - Jan 30, 2021 - Phoenix 111 vs. A couple defensive stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: The Mavericks rank second in the league when it comes to points allowed per game, with only 104.7 on average. Dallas' success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but point guard Luka Doncic led the charge as he had 24 points and eight assists along with nine rebounds. The Phoenix Suns were expected to win this one, and so far that's exactly how it's playing out. After a few days' rest for both teams, they will meet up at 10 p.m. ET May 2 at Footprint Center. Both teams seek to continue their momentum from their previous wins. One thing to keep an eye out for is Jae Crowder's foul situation as he currently sits at four.