The visiting Phoenix Suns head to Texas looking to split the season series against the Dallas Mavericks, who are up in the head-to-head, 2-1. The key storyline, however, is former Brooklyn Net stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s meeting for the first time since requesting trades.

Catch the game tomorrow at 2:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Dallas Mavericks (33-31, 21-12 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Josh Green
  • Kyrie Irving
  • Reggie Bullock
  • Luka Doncic
  • Dwight Powell

The Mavericks are coming off a 133-126 much-needed win over the Philadelphia 76ers, squeaky as it may be. It was a good morale-booster as it was just their second victory in seven games with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both playing.

Such a win is what they needed whenever a loaded team like the Suns are in town because they need all the confidence they can get. While they have won two of the previous matchups, tomorrow is different as Kevin Durant is now on deck for Phoenix.

Doncic (33.4 PPG) isn’t scoring much facing the Suns, averaging just 22.7 in the three meetings, but if it works, it works. Besides, Irving is now there, who has 26.6 points per game in his eight outings as a Maverick. Also, center Christian Wood is doing well in the regular season series, boasting 21.5 points and 8.5 boards in just 25.5 minutes of action.

The Mavs are scoring 123.7 points and allowing 121.7 in the Luka-Kyrie era. They are 2-5 in their last seven games, both SU and ATS.

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AWAY: Phoenix Suns (35-29, 14-19 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Chris Paul
  • Devin Booker
  • Josh Okogie
  • Kevin Durant
  • DeAndre Ayton

The Suns enter as winners in eight of their last 11 games on 113.1 PPG with a +7.2 net rating, with the last two coming alongside Kevin Durant. It gave a good preview of what this newly bolstered team could do: the first was a 105-91 win over the Charlotte Hornets, which featured more defense, while the second was a 125-104 blowout against the Chicago Bulls, which had more offense. Durant put up 21.5 PPG on a superb 68% shooting in those games in just 29 minutes per contest.

Though still careful with his newly healed MCL, Durant should be able to continue building rhythm. His presence should also help propel Devin Booker, who’s mostly struggling on the season series. The 26-year-old is only averaging 19.5 points on 42.8% shooting in two games vs. Dallas.

Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton, meanwhile, are in their usual have been in their usual form in the season series, and they should be able to do better with KD attracting defenses. The two will be in an interesting matchup against the Dallas guards.

Phoenix is 5-1-1 in their last seven games ATS.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Suns (+1.5) win an entertaining battle.

Over/Under: These are two highly capable offenses. The over (232.5) looks good.

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