Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview/Prop Picks

Today, we enter Game 3 in the series between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. The Suns, already up 2-0, will leave the comfort of their home court to play in Dallas.

To be fair, the first two games of the series have been easy for the Suns. However, playing in a different environment can change your comfortability. How will they adjust to being in hostile territory?

The Dallas Mavericks can't afford to fall to 0-3 in the series. This would put them on the verge of elimination for the rest of the series. In fact, we'd say that the Mavericks need to win the next two games just to buy themselves time.

Luka Doncic had a great outing in Game 2, but he didn't have much help. We'll have to wait and see if another Mavericks player is going to step up.

Phoenix Suns: A fast-paced offense beats the Mavericks' defense

What we've learned so far in this series is that defense can only go so far. The Mavericks had a great start to the playoffs, up until they ran into the Suns. Over the course of the series, the Phoenix Suns have averaged 125 points per game.

It won't matter how great Doncic plays if the defense allows that many points. Led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker, Phoenix is hard to beat.

In Game 3, we expect to see the same game plan from the Suns, overwhelming offense. In their most recent win over the Mavericks, Paul and Booker combined for 58 points.

Chris Paul put up 28 on his own, with Booker scoring 30. Jae Crowder put up 15 points as well, helping his team secure a victory. The same kind of team effort will take the Suns far in this series.

Dallas Mavericks: Doncic needs help, this much is certain

After both games, Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd has noted that other players need to step up. For example, in the previous game, Doncic put up 35 points, while the next highest scorer put up only 16.

For the Mavericks to win this series, let alone this game, other players need to contribute. At this point, the Mavericks need to consider Game 3 as a "win or go home" game.

Relying on their defense hasn't been much help to them. Forced to focus on scoring, players such as Reggie Bullock will need to play a larger role.

The Suns will focus most of their attention on stopping Doncic, giving other players an opportunity. Since they're playing at home, the Mavericks should have a bit of a boost as well.

Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks Betting Pick

Although the Suns have taken the first two games of the series, we like the Mavericks here. After a few days of rest and traveling home, they should be able to come out on top.

We also expect to see much more from their defense tonight. All they need is a few more players to put up points, and the Mavericks can win this. 

In terms of the total, we'll actually take the under tonight. As we mentioned, we expect to see a revitalized Mavericks defense, which should slow down the Suns. We also expect Doncic to have another strong outing.

DunkelIndex Free Pick: Dallas Mavericks -0.5, UNDER

Prop Picks

Phoenix (-110) UNDER 109.5 Points

Dallas is allowing 104.7 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 2 in the league. That average drops to 101.5 points per game at home. Scores have gone UNDER in 16 of Dallas’ last 23 home games versus Phoenix.

With Dunkel predicting a Dallas victory by the score of 110-103, take the Suns (-110) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 109.5 points against the Mavericks.

Cameron Johnson (-130) UNDER 9.5 Points

Johnson averaged 12.5 points per game during the regular season, which ranked No. 5 on the Suns. That average decreased to 10.2 points per game on the road and 8.7 points per game in three contests versus Dallas.

With Dunkel predicting a Mavericks win while holding the Suns UNDER their team point total, take Johnson (-130) to finish UNDER his Vegas point total of 9.5 points against Dallas.

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