After their 111-101 win in Game 3, the Dallas Mavericks have managed to even the series up at 2-2. The series now goes back to the desert where the Suns will look to break a two-game skid, while the Mavs go after the lead for the first time in the matchup.
Catch this game live on Wednesday, May 11, at 10 AM, Manila time.
Away: Dallas Mavericks (2-2/0-2 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Luka Doncic
- SG: Jalen Brunson
- SF: Reggie Bullock
- PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
- C: Dwight Powell
The Mavs’ defense is finally clicking. After letting the Suns have their way offensively in the first two games of the series, Dallas appears to have an answer to what was previously working for Phoenix. In the last two games of the series, the Suns have shot just 45.6 FG% – down from 56.9 FG% during Games 1 and 2. The Mavs have also contained Chris Paul based on the Point God’s recent numbers. In Game 4, Paul fouled out after 23 minutes and only had 5 points, 7 assists, and a couple of turnovers. Then, of course, there’s the Mavs’ offense that has come alive at last. Luka Doncic remains consistent with his scoring, making 26 points in Game 4, but Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson ensured that the Slovenian wouldn’t be carrying a heavy load on that end of the floor. DFS went off for 24 points with 8 3-pointers, while Brinson added 198 points. Even Davis Bertans finally popped up, with 12 points (4/6 3FG). That’s a very good setup for the Mavs, who have covered the spread in 7 of their past 10 outings, heading to Game 5 on the road.
Home: Phoenix Suns (2-2/2-0 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: Deandre Ayton
The Suns are coming back home hoping to stop the bleeding. They are also hopeful that Paul will be able to regain his form when the series returns to the desert this Wednesday after pair of forgettable performances in Dallas. As for his partner in the backcourt, Devin Booker, it’s all about sustaining his play. Back in Game 4, Booker paced the Suns with 35 points to raise his series average to 26.5 points on 45.9 FG%.
There’s also likely going to be a system in place for the Suns to get Deandre Ayton more looks and touches on Wednesday. Ayton scored 14 points in Game 4 on 7/12 shooting. He’s only averaged 13.0 points in the last three games, which is way lower than the 23.5 points he put up in the first two games of the series. Phoenix can also look forward to a regression from the likes of Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock, who have been shooting out of their minds lately. The Suns are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games against Dallas.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: Taking the Suns to cover (-6.5).
Over/Under: Taking the Over (213.0) to hit.
