Dallas split a four-game road trip last week, notching a 2-2
spread record with the span’s battles all decided by three or less
points. Rick Carlisle’s club returns home but that doesn’t make them one
of our NBA picks.
Sportsbooks opened Dallas as a
6.5 point favorite, while first setting the ‘total’ at 181. Early
sports betting action on Phoenix and the ‘over’ moved the numbers to six and 182, respectively.
Mavs hold off HornetsThe
Dallas Mavericks had one day of rest since Saturday’s 83-81 triumph as a 3.5 point road favorite against the New Orleans Hornets. The Mavericks held New Orleans to 37.2 percent field shooting, including a 2-for-19 night beyond the arc.
Mavs mates Delonte West and Lamar Odom notched 16 points each, with West adding a team-high six assists. Dallas’ Shawn Marion logged his second double-double in three games, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The contest’s combined 164 points dipped below the ‘total’ of 170.5, making the ‘under’ 6-1 in Dallas’ last seven games. Mavs leading-scorer Dirk Nowitzki (17.5 PPG) missed the affair with a knee injury, which is expected to keep the 10-time All-Star out of action for at least three more games.
Suns edge out CelticsPhoenix dominated the boards in Friday’s 79-71 win as a 6.5-point road dog against the Boston Celtics. The Suns outrebounded Boston, 44-32, while connecting at 44.9 percent from the floor.
Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat piled in team-highs of 24 points and 12 boards, recording a seventh straight double-double. Gortat’s mate Steve Nash logged nine of his squad’s 20 assists, while Suns veteran Grant Hill notched four steals.
The battle’s combined 150 points plunged beneath the ‘total’ of 183, bringing the ‘under’ to 5-2 in the Suns’ last seven games. Phoenix outscored Boston in paint points, 34-28, while the Suns sank 12-of-16 free throws.
Back the Suns to stay hotMonday’s tip is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (ET), with Fox Sports Southwest providing television coverage.
This handicapper is backing Phoenix at the NBA odds board, taking the points as Alvin Gentry’s hot squad looks for revenge. The Suns dropped a 98-89 decision in their Jan. 4 visit to Dallas, who led the affair by as many as 21 points.
Phoenix will not have to contend with Nowitzki, who notched team-highs of 20 points and seven assists last time out. The Mavs had no answers for Nash and Gortat, who united for 37 points en route to both logging double-double’s.
Nash leads the league in assists (10 APG), while Gortat ranks second-best in the Western Conference for shooting (59.9 percent). The duo and their mates have hit free throws at 78.4 percent, making Phoenix fifth in the NBA at the charity stripe.
Dallas has also missed some depth with forward Vince Carter out of action for the team’s last three games. The 14-year veteran is listed as “questionable” to return Monday, continuing to nurse a foot injury.
The Mavericks have struggled beyond the arc, draining buckets from downtown at 30.2 percent. Suns rookie Markieff Morris has drained three-point buckets at a sizable 47.1 percent, while seeing increased minutes in January (22.5 MPG) compared to the season’s start last month (17 MPG).
Look for Phoenix to end its road trip with a solid effort in Dallas, cashing a third straight ticket for spread backers.