NBA Phoenix at Dallas (Wednesday January 24, 2024)
Just past the midway point of the NBA season, there’s a Western Conference logjam among the postseason position second tier. Now, two of those teams collide in Texas, as the 25-18 Phoenix Suns visit the 24-19 Dallas Mavericks Wednesday evening.
Phoenix needed a second-half rally Monday night, whipping the visiting Chicago Bulls, 115-113, behind Kevin Durant’s 43 points (17 in final quarter). It was the Suns’ sixth win in a row, moving them (through Tuesday) into fifth (tied with the New Orleans Pelicans) in the conference.
Dallas lost one of those statement games Monday evening, 119-110 at home to the Boston Celtics. It was a fourth loss in the past six as the team (through Monday) is eighth in the West.
The two teams met Christmas Day in Arizona, the Mavs coming away with a 128-114 win.
Phoenix is 14-11 on the road to this point in the season, Dallas 13-10 at home.
Lines aren’t available, but once posted, please refer to NBA odds.
Suns are Hot
As was mentioned, the Phoenix Suns enter this game having won their last six. It’s no surprise that Kevin Durant is more than a bit responsible. Durant is leading the team (29.6 points per game), adding 6.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists/game. Back-to-back 40-point games (40 against the Indiana Pacers, 43 against the Chicago Bulls) have seen Durant go 32-of-57 overall (10-of-22 3-pointers) while logging 81 minutes.
Devin Booker (26.7 points/game) had 52 in a win over the Pelicans in New Orleans last week, while a now-healthy Bradley Beal is averaging 18 points/game.
Phoenix, with a triumvirate as lethal as any in the league, appears to be a serious contender.
Mavs are Not
The Dallas Mavericks have teased the past few seasons, always failing when it counted. They’re scuffling of late, in the midst of four-of-five at home,
It’s Luka Doncic (33.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists per game) and a “heel-healed” Kyrie Irving (25.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists/game) leading the way, supported by Tim Hardaway Jr.s 18.2 points/game.
Some issues defensively, however, Dallas surrendering 121.3 points/game over the last six.
Take the Mavs
Phoenix is 14-1 (+1400) to win the title, Dallas at 30-1 (+3000), as per NBA championship odds.
The Phoenix Suns have been playing much better than the Dallas Mavericks over the last few weeks, but things change nightly in the NBA.
Phoenix required all sorts of Kevin Durtant magic to get past Chicago. Dallas needs this game after failing to defend home court against the Celtics.
In a game with a lot of possessions, expect the Dallas Mavericks to have the better second half.
Figure small odds either way in this contest, but we’re siding with the home side here.
