The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks will face off in considered one of two Western Conference semifinal matchups after taking related paths to get right here. Bothe groups suffered accidents to their star gamers that pressured them to miss time, however nonetheless overcame that adversity to care for their opponents within the first spherical. The Suns confronted a scrappy Pelicans workforce that gave them extra bother than anybody anticipated, whereas the Mavericks outlasted a Jazz workforce that could not benefit from a Dallas workforce that was with out Luka Doncic for 3 video games.
While the Suns swept the Mavericks 3-0 within the common season, Doncic did not play in two of these matchups, and within the lone assembly the place Doncic did play it was a intently contested contest. This collection must be an thrilling one crammed with loads of star energy. With that stated, this is all the pieces you want to know forward of Game 1 between Phoenix and Dallas.
(1) Phoenix Suns vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks
- When: Monday, May 2 | 10 p.m. ET
- Where: Footprint Center — Phoenix, Arizona
- TV: TNT | Live stream: TNT app
- Odds: PHX -230; DAL +190; O/U 214.5 (through Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks
Storylines
Suns: Though the Suns have been examined towards the Pelicans, they match up extremely properly towards a Mavericks workforce that lacks measurement. Phoenix will certainly strive to benefit from Dallas’ small-ball lineups, with large man Deandre Ayton being on the heart of all of it. Ayton stated after shootaround on Sunday that he is aware of the Mavericks will strive to go small towards him, however he does not count on it to considerably impression the best way the Suns play.
“At the tip of the day, if it ain’t broke do not repair it…and our stuff over right here ain’t broke,” Ayton stated.
Ayton ought to have one other dominant collection towards the Mavericks, which ought to bode properly for the 2018 No. 1 general decide as he enters restricted free company anticipating an enormous payday. Game 1 will probably be all about each groups feeling one another out, and I count on Ayton to have an enormous evening because the Mavericks haven’t got an actual reply for the dominant large man.
Mavericks: It will probably be attention-grabbing to see how the Suns defend Doncic, as a result of prior to now Mikal Bridges has been the first defender on the 23-12 months-previous celebrity guard. While Bridges has made life powerful for Doncic in earlier matchups, it is not as if Phoenix has managed to fully shut him down. But if Bridges and Jae Crowder do handle to neutralize Doncic, it will likely be up to Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie to decide up the slack.
Brunson has already confirmed he can do this, however Dinwiddie struggled closely within the first spherical to present constant offensive manufacturing when he was on the ground. Dallas will want Dinwiddie to play just like the man who averaged 15.8 factors on 49 p.c from the sector and 40 p.c from deep after buying him on the commerce deadline this season if they need to stand an opportunity towards the Suns.
Prediction
I believe the Suns will strive to set the tone for this collection and impose their will towards the Mavericks in Game 1. I count on Ayton to have an enormous recreation, which can power Dallas coach Jason Kidd looking for solutions in how to include him going ahead on this collection. Pick: Suns -5.5
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