Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks: Limit Dallas From Three-Point Range

• The Phoenix Suns are 7-3 over their last 10 games.
• The Dallas Mavericks have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games.
• The Suns won their last meeting with the Mavericks, 107-105.

Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks Predictions and Picks

The Dallas Mavericks are coming in off of a win where they decided to just outpace their opponents. While the Suns enter the second leg of a back-to-back, their hot shooting and depth of production should give them the edge against the Mavericks.

Picks:

Phoenix Suns def. Dallas Mavericks

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Head-to-Head: Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks

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Phoenix Suns Game Notes: Limit Dallas From Three-Point Range

The Dallas Mavericks aren't one of the league's most efficient three-point shooting teams, but they are certainly one of its most prolific. If the Phoenix Suns want to stave off another narrow victory, they'll need to better control Dallas' opportunities from deep.

In their earlier meeting with the Mavericks this season, the Suns allowed their opponents to shoot 14 of 35 (40.0%) from three-point range. It was a narrow 107-105 victory for the Suns, where the Suns were unable to keep to their perimeter defense standards.

The Suns currently rank fourth in three-pointers allowed per game (10.8), yet 22nd in three-point field goal efficiency allowed (36.6%). With Dallas being the league's third-ranked team in three-point attempts, Phoenix has no choice but to control the pace of the game.

Suns Key Player: (G) Devin Booker

Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker has been excellent this season. Even with Chris Paul's inconsistent presence in the lineup, Booker's quality has rarely dropped off. Once again, he'll get into a key matchup against the Mavericks.

On the season, Booker is averaging 29.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists on 49.5% shooting and 39.0% from three. But through his career, the Mavericks have been one of Booker's favorite opponents. Through 19 meetings with the Mavericks, Booker has averaged 23.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 51.5% from the field and 42.1% from three.

Booker has led the Suns to victory over the Mavericks in 10 straight regular season games. They have the formula, so Booker needs to remain a constant offensive threat to take down the Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks Game Notes: Play Both Ends of the Court

The Dallas Mavericks finally found a win by focusing on the defensive end of the court. The key was that they didn't take their foot off the gas pedal on offence either. It'll take a concentrated two-way effort to beat the Phoenix Suns.

In their last game, a 121-100 win over the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks struggled from the field overall but decided volume would win them the day. They attempted 100 field goals, converted on 43 of them, hit 24 threes, and out-rebounded the Knicks 50 to 45.

It's fair to believe the Mavericks' offensive brazenness won't work against the Phoenix Suns. However, if they can translate that effort into offensive efficiency, they'll be on their way to taking down the Suns for the first time in 10 games.

Mavericks Key Player: (G) Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks are so dependent on the success of Luka Doncic, there are times when their role players don't do enough to support him. Over his last three games, Hardaway Jr. has shown himself to be more than capable as a second option.

Through the Mavericks' last three games, Hardaway Jr. has posted averages of 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 50.% shooting from the field and 50.0% shooting from three-point range. His recent scoring efficiency has been a boon to the Mavericks' play.

Hardaway Jr. averages 14.0 points on 39.3% from the field and from three in wins, versus 10.6 point 31.6% from the field and 28.8% from three in losses. If he hopes to help Dallas to victory, Hardaway Jr. needs to be efficient from the field.

How to Watch Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks

• Who: Phoenix Suns & Dallas Mavericks
• Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
• When: 8:30 PM EST, Monday, December 5th, 2022
• How to Watch: NBA TV