With stars galore and playoff intensity, what basketball betting angles stick out for this Western Conference showdown?
December 25th Recap: Mavs Trump Suns Sans Kyrie
In their first clash this season, the Mavericks beat the Suns 128-114 in Phoenix without All-Star Kyrie Irving even suited up. The Suns played short-handed as well missing Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic. However, Luka Doncic's 33 points and the Mavs’ lights-out three-point shooting (21-of-39) carried Dallas regardless.
Mavs 3-Point Barrage Keys Win
Draining 21 threes as a team enabled the Mavs to gain an extra 18 points from beyond the arc itself (63-45). This cushion powered them despite losing the overall shooting percentage battle.
Suns Big Men Bruise Dallas Interior
Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Devin Booker (27 points) exploited Dallas’ shaky interior defense. This kept Phoenix engaged until the closing minutes before Dallas pulled away late.
Takeaways for January 24th Rematch
- Mavs won comfortably even sans Kyrie's offensive firepower.
- Phoenix struggled defending the three-point arc.
- Ayton punished Dallas for not protecting the paint well.
How might these insights shape wagering strategies for Wednesday night?
Betting Lines and Predictions
Game Odds: Mavericks favored -2.5 at home
Based on previous outcome and gaining Irving, oddsmakers see Dallas now narrowly ahead.
Prediction: Mavericks win given six point victory in Phoenix + adding Kyrie now. Still expect competitive battle.
Over/Under Total: 240 points
With prolific scorers on both rosters, sportsbooks anticipate fireworks pushing the score over 240.
Prediction: OVER 240 points given poor defenses and premier shot creators participating.
Now let's examine key betting factors influencing these lines and predictions:
Handicapping the Suns
The Suns Surge
Winners of six straight, Phoenix enters Wednesday hot having averaged 125 points per game since January 14th behind stellar play from Kevin Durant. With three straight double-doubles, DeAndre Ayton also found his groove.
Injury Concerns
Phoenix may still lack Bradley Beal who missed the Christmas clash with a lingering hamstring injury. His absence hinders their recent momentum.
Prop Bets: Ayton OVER 18.5 points given likely paint dominance against Dallas again.
Sizing Up the Mavs
The Mavericks Slump
Conversely, Dallas stumbles losing three of their last four games. Luka Doncic lacking usual explosion battling ankle soreness surely factors given his central role.
The Kyrie Factor
However, reinforcing Dallas' offense, Kyrie Irving debuts against Phoenix after sitting out their first meeting. His proven scoring prowess adds instant firepower with 25+ points expected if seeing normal minutes.
Prop Bets: Kyrie Irving OVER 23.5 points with added motivation facing team that nearly traded for him.
Key X-Factors Impacting Total Score
Porosity of Dallas Defense
The Mavericks rank among the NBA's worst interior and rebounding defenses. DeAndre Ayton exposed these weaknesses with 25 points in the previous matchup. Even if Ayton regresses or sits, Nurkic, Durant and others still likely feast near the basket while generating second chance opportunities off ample offensive rebounds.
Luka + Kyrie's Scoring Upside
Conversely, Doncic and Irving represent two of basketball's most explosive and versatile shot creators. If their nagging injuries cooperate, both generating 30+ points remains in play. Such potential star power counterbalances suspect defenses.
Few Possession Game?
If the last tightly contested clash where Dallas only pulled away late repeats itself, more possessions occur with the pace slowing less late. This dynamic alone might push the total over 240.
Prediction: OVER 240 points still repeats itself.
Final Betting Pick: Mavs -2.5
The Mavericks won by double digits in Phoenix even missing Kyrie Irving's 25+ PPG firepower. With Irving elevating their offense and Luka Doncic perhaps healthier, look for Dallas to defend home court once again.
Sure, the Suns ride greater momentum now. And Ayton should torture the Mavericks interior anew. Still, the boost Irving provides likely overrides these factors en route to another Dallas victory despite a back-and-forth affair.
Pick: Mavericks -2.5