Mavs/Suns

[mr. wizard]

I posted the Mavs earlier as my POD, which I would normally put five units on, but I'm downgrading my play to three units. Steve Nash had his practice cut short yesterday by a stomach virus. He sat out of the morning shoot around this morning, but is scheduled to start tonight. Nash is a tough guy and if that virus made him sit out practice, I have a feeling that he won't be 100% tonight. The good news for the Mavs is, Nick Van Exel was about the only player that showed up for the Kings game, so giving him extra minutes in Nash's absence might not be that bad. As I stated in my POD, the Mavs have not lost two in a row all year and have come back pretty strong after a loss, but take a look at who they have played after a loss.

Lost to Pacers.......beat Bulls by 13
Lost to Lakers.......beat Warriors by 5
Lost to Spurs.........beat Grizzlies by 17
Lost to Jazz...........beat Wizards by 6
Lost to Bucks.........beat Clippers by 10

I don't mean to sway back and forth on this game, but I think that the Suns are definitely the best team they have played after a loss this season and with the Suns struggling in their last two, I'm downgrading my Mavs play to a 3*.

Prediction:
Mavs 95
Suns 90

Also playing the Spurs to roll over the Hawks by 16-18

Good luck and better winnings,
Mr. Wizard

 

[Champion Plays]

From another perspective.....

From another perspective.....

The Dallas Mavericks play their third of a four-game road trip tonight when they visit Phoenix to take on the Suns.

The 31-6 Mavs are coming off their worst loss of the season when they were given a 123-94 lesson at the hands of the Sacramento Kings. Their still suspect defense allowed the Kings to shoot 55% from the field and a hard-to-believe 65% from the arc.

Following a hot start Dallas have covered just four of their last thirteen overall...and it's worth noting that they are just 1-4 ATS recently in games following a SU loss.

The 24-16 Suns have been dominant at home this season posting a 17-3 SU record that includes wins over upper-echelon teams New Jersey, Sacramento, Portland, San Antonio and Utah. At home Phoenix have won their last ten SU and covered four of their last five.

These teams have met once this season when the Mavs won 97-83 at home...but Phoenix have beaten Dallas four of the last five times these teams have clashed at America West Arena.

The Suns have a tough five-game road trip following tonight's game so they should be focused on this one.

Tonight we expect a fantastic game that goes right down to the final buzzer...and we'll take the home dog to keep it close enough to get the cover.

Recommended Play: Phoenix Suns +4.5 (SIA)

 

[Kdogg21]

Phoenix over Dallas +3


Mavericks in major letdown role following 29-point shellacking against Kings, a game in which they were attempting to avenge playoff series loss to Sacramento last year. Suns are 4-1 ATS as hosts in this series and 5-0 SU & ATS as home dogs this year.

Mav's might be slowing down a bit and coming back down to Earth. They are good, but i see them losing 2 in a row.

Good luck

 

[mr. wizard]

It's funny how the media can change sides so quickly on teams. This is an 82 game season, the Mavs have one bad game, true they did get spanked, but it was one game, and people are talking like they are history. Granted Sactown shot lights out, but with the zone now in the NBA, I know Nelly will take this defensive effort compared to last years. When it comes playoff time, they will have to man up better on D, but let Amare get his inside points, and make it a run and gun game and Dallas pulls it out tonight.

Good Luck to all,
Mr. Wizard