Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns Preview (1/26/23): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

A highly anticipated rematch between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, two teams that despise each other, is finally here. While Devin Booker won’t be available to play in his rivalry with MVP frontrunner Luka Doncic, tensions will still be incredibly high.

Our in-depth analysis, betting picks, and predictions are available below. Also, you can see the projected starting lineups, current betting odds, and updated injury reports for both teams below.

Dallas Mavericks Vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds

The Dallas Mavericks are one-point road dogs against the Phoenix Suns in this heated rivalry. Phoenix will still miss Devin Booker, Landry Shamet, Cam Payne, and Jae Crowder.

Maxi Kleber and Christian Wood are the two frontcourt players listed as out for Dallas in this matchup.

Dallas Mavericks Vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction

After a 2-13 stretch and a ton of injuries to key rotational players, the Phoenix Suns have finally started to garner the necessary momentum to push them in a playoff direction.

Chris Paul and Cameron Johnson are healthy again, joining Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges in a nearly complete Suns lineup.

Phoenix has won four straight games but has let a Haliburton-less Pacers squad and Durant-less Brooklyn team hang around in two of those four matchups.

As a matter of fact, the Suns almost let the Memphis Grizzlies come back from a 29-point deficit to win. While the effort is certainly there, the absence of Booker is still bothering this team on some level.

Meanwhile, road issues persist for the Dallas Mavericks; they have dropped four of their past five games away from American Airlines Center, boast the eight-worst net rating, and have the tenth-worst road record in the league.

Now, Dallas has to continue playing without one of its best shooters and frontcourt players, Christian Wood. Wood is a pivotal offensive player for Dallas and a great secondary scorer next to Doncic.

Phoenix should have no issues taking care of Dallas in this spot. It has been playing well, and with Cam Johnson back, it has plenty of firepower. The Mavericks simply don’t have the offensive weapons to keep up with Phoenix. The Suns should win and cover.

Betting Trends

• Dallas is 7-16 ATS on the road in 2022-23
• Phoenix is 14-10 ATS at home in 2022-23
• The combined over record of these two teams is 49-46-1 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

Our key matchup of the game features one of the best offensive players and one of the best defensive players in the NBA: Luka Doncic and Mikal Bridges. Check out which player has the upper hand in this rivalry game below.

Luka Doncic vs. Mikal Bridges

More than likely, we will see a lot of Mikal Bridges being Luka Doncic’s primary defender, as the Suns won’t want to put Chris Paul on him.

Dallas deploys a few other guards in its starting lineups sometimes, so Paul could cross-defend Spencer Dinwiddie or Tim Hardaway Jr.

Bridges is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA and can comfortably guard three positions on the floor, a coveted ability at the professional level. He ranks 28th in total deflections, 30th in loose balls recovered, and first in distance miles defense.

Essentially, he’s everywhere on the floor, utilizing his freakish plus wingspan, lightning-quick hands, and impressive lateral speed to create havoc for opposing wings.

Unfortunately for Bridges, he will draw the toughest assignment in the NBA: Luka Doncic. Doncic is averaging just shy of a triple-double and has posted averages of 34 points, 7.5 rebounds, and seven assists in two games against Bridges this season.

In one of those games, Doncic only played 29 minutes, as it was a blowout. His numbers don’t drop off at all with Bridges on the floor. Advantage: Doncic.

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SF: Tim Hardaway Jr
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Dwight Powell

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineups

PG: Chris Paul
SG: Mikal Bridges
SF: Torrey Craig
PF: Cameron Johnson
C: Deandre Ayton

Key Injuries

Dallas Mavericks Injuries: Maxi Kleber (Out), Christian Wood (Out)

Phoenix Suns Injuries: Devin Booker (Out), Landry Shamet (Out), Cam Payne (Out), Jae Crowder (Out)