19th October 2022 - preview, prediction & picks:
Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns
22:00 ET / 19:00 local
Footprint Center. Phoenix, Arizona
Expected lineups/team news:
Mavericks:
PG - Luka Dončić
SG - Spencer Dinwiddie
SF - Reggie Bullock
PF - Dorian Finney-Smith
C - JaVale McGee
Dallas showed potential in beating Utah 115-101 in their recent pre-season matchup.
Luka Dončić is the game-changer for Dallas. Already in fine form, he is clearly going to push hard for MVP this season. Hopefully, he can drag the Mavericks along for the ride.
Spencer Dinwiddie makes the predicted lineup and is a passing/assist machine.
Rebound stats look set to improve with the addition (and immediate inclusion) of JaVale McGee.
Suns:
PG - Chris Paul
SG - Devin Booker
SF - Mikal Bridges
PF - Cameron Johnson
C - Deandre Ayton
Duane Washington Jr. joins the Suns. As does Australian centre Jock Landale
Ish Wainwright and DeAndre Ayton return to Phoenix.
Head coach Monty Williams agrees to a contract extension. This brings solidity and should give the team the impetus to play with confidence.
2021/22 standings:
Dallas: 2nd in Southwest - 4th in Western - 5th in NBA
Phoenix: 1st in Pacific - 1st in Western - 1st in NBA
Head-to-head
2021/22:
DAL 0 - 3 PHX
Regular season
DAL 74 - 94 PHX
NBA Playoffs
DAL 10 - 9 PHX
Last game:
Mavericks 101 - 109 Suns
Rest days:
DAL: >3
PHX: >3
Home/away (H/A) last 3 games
DAL: - - -
PHX: - - -
NBA Championship odds:
Rationale:
The markets are backing Phoenix Suns to hold out at home. Their most recent matchups have all gone to the Suns and there is nothing to strongly indicate that Dallas can turn that trend around just yet.
Prediction:
Here at The Jump Hub, we’re not too sure who will come out on top in this one. But we feel it will be a reasonably high-scoring affair, so we are backing the:
OVER 216.5 @ 1.87
3-star pick ***
