NBA Playoffs: Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns Game 7 Preview, Odds, Prediction

It all comes down to one game. The Phoenix Suns host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the West semifinals. It is win or go home for either side, who gave their best in the past six events, thrilling the audience each time they hit the floor. The result so far was three wins for each side in its own arena, and judging by that pattern, the Suns should be safe at the Footprint Center. But things aren’t working like that in the NBA. The Mavs are coming to win, having a swing following the latest triumph, and not having the pressure as the hosts do.

Preview

Dallas Mavericks (TBA) were superb in Game 6, blowing away the No.1 seed in the West, 113-86. This was one of the hardest losses inflicted on the Suns in the past year or two, and the hosts looked pretty impressive.

The ball management was superb for the Mavs, who had only six turnovers, one committed by the starting lineup, Luka’s turnover. Doncic played 35 minutes, had 33 points and 11 boards, but with eight assists and four steals, completely destroying the Suns’ backcourt.

Reggie Bullock woke up, ending the night with 19 points and seven boards, with five hit threes, while Jalen Brunson had 18 buckets. Spencer Dinwiddie made five threes off the bench for his 15 points, and his contribution was immediately felt.

Phoenix Suns (TBA) suffered a KO in Texas. They shot 39.7% from the field, had only six threes and committed 22 turnovers. Chris Paul and Devin Booker had 13 handovers combined, and when Phoenix’s two best players have such tragic stats, the Suns really can’t hope to experience anything good.

D-Book scored 19 points with eight boards, but shot 6-for-17. Paul had 13 buckets with just four assists. These two are the motors of Monty Williams’ unit and as said, when they play poor, the entire team suffers.

Deandre Ayton was the only one who matched the Mavs’ intensity of play. The former No.1 pick had 21 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes on the floor. All the other players didn’t deserve to be mentioned. The bench scored 17 points combined, and they too couldn’t do anything to prevent the disaster.

Head to Head Games

We’ve mentioned in the earlier part of the text that both sides exploited the home-court advantage in the best possible way, posting three wins each. The Suns clinched the opening two events of the series, 121-114 and 129-109. The Mavs responded in the next two held in Texas, 103-94 and 111-101. After that, Phoenix won Game 5, 110-80, but saw immediate revenge last night.

Prediction

You’ve probably figured out so far that the home-court edge in this series is the difference-maker. There wasn’t a single close game in this series since the start of it, mostly because of the home crowd and all that comes with it. That is why we think that the Suns are going to beat the Mavs on Sunday and check their ticket to the West Finals. In the previous three games at Footprint Center, we saw them winning by 20 or more points on two occasions.

Pick: Suns Win