Mavericks vs Suns Betting Lines without Superstar Luka Doncic

The Phoenix Suns have won an NBA-best nine straight games and a 10^th seems likely on Wednesday because they will be hosting a Dallas Mavericks team without superstar Luka Doncic. The Suns will be heavy favorites on the NBA odds.

How to Bet Dallas at Phoenix NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Wednesday, 10 PM ET
Where: Footprint Center
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN app
Radio: Tunein.com
NBA Odds: TBA (Suns will be heavy favorites)

Series History

This is the first meeting between the teams this year. The Suns have taken six straight and 13 of the last 16 meetings (Dallas’ 3 wins in that stretch were all consecutive and spanned the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons). Phoenix took the 2020-21 season series, 3-0, sweeping Dallas for the second time in the last four years (3-0, 2017-18). The Mavericks are just 27-55 all-time on the road against the Suns (compared to 47-36 at home). The Mavs have dropped seven of their last eight road meetings with Phoenix, including the two matchups in the bubble in 2019-20.

Why Bet on Dallas?

The Mavericks won their second straight game Monday, 111-101 over Denver. Kristaps Porzingis hit 11-of-20 shots and five 3-pointers on his way to 29 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Finally healthy, Porzingis has had his two highest-scoring games of the season in his last two. Jalen Brunson hit 8-of-12 shots and a 3-pointer for 17 points with six assists. Tim Hardaway had 19 points and seven rebounds. He’s been a reliable scorer of late, putting up 15-plus points in three of his last four games after a slow start.

Superstar Luka Doncic hit 9-of-23 shots for 23 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds before leaving late after having his left ankle rolled over late. Austin Rivers was fouled on a drive to the basket and his rib area came down on the back of Luka’s foot and turned his ankle.

Doncic is not going to play Wednesday but the Mavs are hopeful his absence won’t be an extended stretch. Tests on his leg/ankle showed no serious damage. Doncic has a history of ankle sprains. He missed a total of 11 games during the 2019-20 season due to right ankle sprains. He played the last three games of the Mavs’ 2020 playoff series despite a left ankle sprain. Doncic, a first-team All-NBA selection the past two years, is averaging 24.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game for the 9-4 Mavs.

Brunson is likely going to move into the starting lineup. There will also be more minutes available for guys like Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke. Big man Maxi Kleber remains out injured.

Dallas is 2-5 against the spread in its past seven on the road.

Why Bet on Phoenix?

Phoenix won its ninth in a row Monday, 99-96 at Minnesota. The Wolves’ D’Angelo Russell missed a 3-point and Anthony Edwards couldn’t control an offensive rebound in the final seconds. Devin Booker made a free throw and the Timberwolves’ last-second heave was short.

Chris Paul scored 19 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. Deandre Ayton hit 10-of-14 shots for 22 points, 12 rebounds and one assist in his return from a five-game absence due to a leg injury. He came in questionable and his coach was talking about his conditioning being an issue but Ayton looked great in his return.

“I was telling everybody, ‘Let’s make sure we bring that same energy that you all was bringing the last game because don’t try to take ail when I’m back now,'” Ayton said of joining the team during the win streak. “So, I made sure on my end, I tried everything. Everybody tell me I brought the energy coming out the gate.”

The Suns won all six of the games without Ayton, compared to four of seven when he plays. Booker totaled 29 points, five rebounds and five assist in Monday’s win. The 29 points were his third-highest total in any game this season and he got to the free-throw line a season-high 15 times.

While both teams defended well, neither shot above 37%. Each had at least 15 turnovers and the two combined for 51 fouls and 63 free throw attempts across the 48 minutes. The Suns posted 40 points in the first half, their lowest mark of the season by seven points and led by one point at halftime.

Phoenix is 7-1 against the spread in its past eight after a win.