The 82-game pro basketball regular season is often considered a marathon, spread out over a five-month period. All teams have aspirations of making the 16-team postseason event, with the ultimate goal of earning homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

Homecourt is nice, but is it necessary to win a championship? Only five teams in the NBA posting a winning record on the road during the regular season. Got a guess? Four (Detroit, Miami, Phoenix, Dallas) of them are still playing, and San Antonio just exited. The Spurs actually boasted the best mark at 29-12.

Producing a .500 record on the road is probably the measuring stick for most teams, but those that have eclipsed this number are more prone to succeed in the playoffs.

Dallas is one of the remaining four teams that have parlayed its success away from home during the regular season to the postseason.

The Mavericks are 4-2 (67%) straight up in their six games, but here’s the kicker, an amazing 6-0 against the spread. The two losses were by a combined three points against the Spurs in their second round battle.


DALLAS ROAD PLAYOFF RESULTS
Date Opponent Line Total SU Result ATS Result
Apr 29 @Memphis +2 181 Won 94-89 Win/Over
May 1 @Memphis -1.5 178.5 Won 102-76 Win/Under
May 7 @San Antonio +4 181 Lost 85-87 Win/Under
May 9 @San Antonio +2.5 182 Won 113-91 Win/Over
May 17 @San Antonio +5 194 Lost 97-98 Win/Over
May 22 @San Antonio +3 190.5 Won 119-111 Win/Over



On Sunday, Dallas resumes its best-of-seven series in Game 3 at Phoenix. The Suns opened as one-point favorites, with the total sitting at 220. So far this postseason, Mike D’Antonio’s team has been favored as high as seven and as low as four.

The one-point line definitely shows a sign of respect for Dallas in this spot.

Keep in mind that that Phoenix has won and covered both its first two home openers during its playoffs series. Something is gonna have to give Sunday!

During the regular season, Dallas was 1-1 both SU and ATS in its two trips to Phoenix, including a 117-104 setback on Apr. 13 as a 2 ˝-point road underdog. The ‘over’ cashed in both games.

After this contest, both teams will meet again on Tuesday in Game 4 from U.S. Airways Center.

Tip off for Game 3 is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST, with TNT providing national coverage.