NBA Playoffs 2022 on Thursday, 05.05.2022
There are more than a few NBA fans who already mentally see the Phoenix Suns one round ahead in the NBA playoffs. After all, against the Dallas Mavericks, they have fully lived up to the expectations of the top bookmakers so far.
The Black and Violets won the opening game of the Conference Semifinals and are already hungry for another win. In my Suns Mavericks tip, I’m confident they can pull off another win over the Mavs.
In the end the home side won as expected, only the result was closer than expected with 121:114. However, you have to look closely because the Suns set the tone for large parts of the game and went into the final quarter with a more than reassuring 21-point lead.
The Mavs then had a bit more of the game, but I don’t doubt for a second that if there had been a need, the favourites could have gone up a gear again – and without any problems!
Incidentally, the opening game was a prime example of the fact that, at this stage of the playoffs at the latest, a one-man army like that of the Mavericks simply cannot hold its own against a strong collective like that of the Black and Violets.
Luka Doncic turned up the heat under the watchful eye of Dirk Nowitzki and put on a performance with 12 rebounds and 45 points that would have been enough for two! However, the necessary support was simply lacking.
The backcourt colleagues of the Serbian were beside themselves! Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie had a weak evening, while the German Maxi Kleber became the second best Mavs player with 19 points.
The Mavericks’ biggest problems, however, were in the backcourt. I was so impressed by the Suns’ dominance of their offensive game that I see no reason to make any adjustments to my prediction in Game 2.
What has distinguished the Arizonans – not just on this night, but throughout the season – is their flexibility to hit with any player in equal measure. There’s a reason every starting five player scored in double figures against the Mavs.
The return of Devin Booker, who was last out against the Pels due to injury, paid off in full with 23 points. He is the invigorating element that makes the Suns’ offensive game so unpredictable.
With a fantastic FG rate of over 50%, the Black and Violets also hit from all angles – even though they let it slip in the final quarter. If you can show such accuracy, you can win the rematch!
The main problem the Suns have from time to time is not grabbing enough rebounds. But this weakness is not exploited by the Mavericks – quite the contrary!
Dallas lost the first rebound duel with 36:51 more than just clearly. But if the Suns also get extra attempts in the form of so-called second-chance points with their enormous accuracy, then it simply can’t come to anything with a victory for the Mavs.
With regard to my Suns Mavericks tip, I remain on the side of the Suns, who will again start as the clear favourite on the betting markets with win odds currently at 1.41.
Especially after the dominant first half of the game, I use the same type of bet as I did a few days ago, which incidentally counts as a “half-time bet”. A triumph of the Mavs, meanwhile, is traded at odds of currently around 3.00.
Conclusion: The Mavericks just aren’t functioning well enough as a collective to take on a force like Arizona – especially now that Devin Booker is back.
The home side converted over 50% of their FG attempts and dominated the rebounding duel! So it should come as no surprise that they took it easy with a 21-point lead in the final quarter.
Luka Doncic is the best player for the guests and will strike repeatedly tonight. But since I don’t expect his backcourt mates to give him much support, I think a game similar to Game 1 is inevitable.
My Suns Mavericks tip is therefore: Halftime/Final score 1/1.
