Dallas Mavs Top 3 Betting Picks vs. Phoenix Suns: Luka Doncic, Dante Exum, Kevin Durant
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks hit the road to take on Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns on Christmas Day.
The Mavs are coming off a 144-119 trouncing of the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Doncic returned after a one-game absence to notch yet another triple-double, finishing with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in the victory.
The Suns have struggled as of late, losing eight of their last 11 games as they come off a 120-105 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Kevin Durant led the way for Phoenix in the loss with 28 points and seven rebounds.
Notable Injuries
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II (left ankle sprain) is questionable. Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion), Josh Green (right elbow sprain), and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) are out.
Suns: Eric Gordon (right hip soreness), Josh Okogie (right hip strain), and Yuta Watanabe (right finger sprain) are probable. Bradley Beal (right ankle sprain), Jusuf Nurkic (personal reasons), and Damion Lee (right meniscus) are out.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Check out the the betting lines and player props below, courtesy of SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point Spread: Mavericks (+4.5) / Suns (-4.5)
Money Line: Mavericks (+145) / Suns (-188)
Over/Under: 237.5
Player Props / Our Picks
Luka Doncic O/U 36.5 Points: Over
The kind of roll that Doncic has been on has been unreal, averaging 36.5 points over his last 11 games, including three 40-point performances. With tonight's game being on Christmas Day and against Booker and the Suns, look for Doncic to put on a show.
Dante Exum O/U 21.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists: Over
Dante Exum continues his renaissance as he's playing the best basketball of his career this season with the Mavs. Over his last eight games, Exum is averaging 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 68.8 percent from the floor and 63 percent from downtown. With Irving still out of the lineup, look for Exum to continue his hot play.
Kevin Durant O/U 30.5 Points: Over
In his 16th season in the league, Durant still finds himself in the middle of his prime, averaging 30.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on the season. For Durant, there's simply no way of stopping him. Slowing him down? Possibly but stopping him? Not a chance. Take the over on Christmas Day.
Prediction: With the Suns riding the struggle bus over the last 10 games or so and the Mavs potentially getting Lively back, look for Doncic and the Mavs to spoil Booker and company's Christmas Day. Take Dallas +4.5 to win.
