It’s amazing how much can be accomplished in just 4.8 seconds, especially when it concerns an NBA playoff basketball game. Parlays can be shattered, totals can be ruined and road teams can escape with an improbable victory. Only one of those scenarios played itself out in Wednesday’s opener of the Western Conference finals.
Phoenix found itself in a 118-117 hole with under five seconds remaining in Game 1 versus fourth-seeded Dallas. The Suns’ Boris Diaw nailed a turnaround 10-footer from the baseline with just .5 seconds remaining, and the game was in the books after the Mavericks turned the ball over and Phoenix connected on a couple free throws.
The second-seeded Suns (63-34 straight up, 53-43 against the spread) triumphed as a 6 1/2-point road underdog against Dallas, 121-118, while the combined 239 points soared ‘over’ the 220 1/2-point closing total. Phoenix has now won the previous three encounters with the Mavericks both SU and ATS, with the ‘over’ occurring each time.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Dallas as a 7 1/2-point home ‘chalk’ over Phoenix in Game 2, with the total set at a robust 224 ½. TNT will provide coverage of Friday’s matchup beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Mavericks (68-26 SU, 48-44 ATS) are now listed as a $1.40 favorite (bet $140 to win $100) to win this series and advance to their first ever NBA Finals. Phoenix is currently a $1.20 underdog (bet $100 to win $120) to defeat Dallas and advance to the next round.
Injuries are also starting to become a factor in the Western Conference finals, with both squads experiencing some bumps and bruises. Dallas forward Josh Howard has been downgraded from ‘questionable’ to ‘doubtful’ for Friday’s contest due to an ankle injury.
Phoenix guard Raja Bell has been downgraded from ‘questionable’ to expected to miss Friday’s game due to a calf injury. The defensive stopper has been tentatively scheduled to return late next week. Forward Shawn Marion (ankle) has been upgraded from ‘questionable’ to ‘probable’ for Game 2, while forward Kurt Thomas (foot) is expected to be available.
The Suns triumphed by shooting 55 percent (47-of-85) from the field, while also enjoying a solid advantage in fast-break points, 32-12. Boris Diaw led all scorers with a career-high 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting, including the most-important shot of the game. Point guard Steve Nash stepped up with 27 points and 16 assists, while Shawn Marion contributed 24 and 13 rebounds.
Dallas outrebounded the Suns, 48-38, and appeared to have the opener in hand before letting a nine-point lead slip away with under four minutes remaining. The Mavericks shot 51 percent (47-of-93) from the field, led by Devin Harris and his 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting. Forward Dirk Nowitzki poured in 25 points along with 19 rebounds in the setback, while Jerry Stackhouse netted 16 off the bench.
Phoenix sports a 26-22 SU and 26-21 ATS road record, with the ‘over’ going 26-21. The Suns have been winning those affairs by an average score of 107-106. This best-of-seven series travels to Phoenix the next two games where the team is 37-12 SU and 27-22 ATS.
Dallas maintains a 38-9 SU and 25-22 ATS home ledger, with the ‘under’ going 25-22. The Mavericks have been winning their games at American Airlines Center by an average score of 102-92. Dallas has dropped its last two home playoff endeavors both SU and ATS. The Mavericks never lost more than two home games in a row SU during the regular season.
Phoenix has won a postseason game on the road in all three of its series, and the Game 1 triumph marked its fifth contest decided by three points or less or in overtime. The Mavericks have been involved in six such outings this postseason.
Phoenix found itself in a 118-117 hole with under five seconds remaining in Game 1 versus fourth-seeded Dallas. The Suns’ Boris Diaw nailed a turnaround 10-footer from the baseline with just .5 seconds remaining, and the game was in the books after the Mavericks turned the ball over and Phoenix connected on a couple free throws.
The second-seeded Suns (63-34 straight up, 53-43 against the spread) triumphed as a 6 1/2-point road underdog against Dallas, 121-118, while the combined 239 points soared ‘over’ the 220 1/2-point closing total. Phoenix has now won the previous three encounters with the Mavericks both SU and ATS, with the ‘over’ occurring each time.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Dallas as a 7 1/2-point home ‘chalk’ over Phoenix in Game 2, with the total set at a robust 224 ½. TNT will provide coverage of Friday’s matchup beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Mavericks (68-26 SU, 48-44 ATS) are now listed as a $1.40 favorite (bet $140 to win $100) to win this series and advance to their first ever NBA Finals. Phoenix is currently a $1.20 underdog (bet $100 to win $120) to defeat Dallas and advance to the next round.
Injuries are also starting to become a factor in the Western Conference finals, with both squads experiencing some bumps and bruises. Dallas forward Josh Howard has been downgraded from ‘questionable’ to ‘doubtful’ for Friday’s contest due to an ankle injury.
Phoenix guard Raja Bell has been downgraded from ‘questionable’ to expected to miss Friday’s game due to a calf injury. The defensive stopper has been tentatively scheduled to return late next week. Forward Shawn Marion (ankle) has been upgraded from ‘questionable’ to ‘probable’ for Game 2, while forward Kurt Thomas (foot) is expected to be available.
The Suns triumphed by shooting 55 percent (47-of-85) from the field, while also enjoying a solid advantage in fast-break points, 32-12. Boris Diaw led all scorers with a career-high 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting, including the most-important shot of the game. Point guard Steve Nash stepped up with 27 points and 16 assists, while Shawn Marion contributed 24 and 13 rebounds.
Dallas outrebounded the Suns, 48-38, and appeared to have the opener in hand before letting a nine-point lead slip away with under four minutes remaining. The Mavericks shot 51 percent (47-of-93) from the field, led by Devin Harris and his 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting. Forward Dirk Nowitzki poured in 25 points along with 19 rebounds in the setback, while Jerry Stackhouse netted 16 off the bench.
Phoenix sports a 26-22 SU and 26-21 ATS road record, with the ‘over’ going 26-21. The Suns have been winning those affairs by an average score of 107-106. This best-of-seven series travels to Phoenix the next two games where the team is 37-12 SU and 27-22 ATS.
Dallas maintains a 38-9 SU and 25-22 ATS home ledger, with the ‘under’ going 25-22. The Mavericks have been winning their games at American Airlines Center by an average score of 102-92. Dallas has dropped its last two home playoff endeavors both SU and ATS. The Mavericks never lost more than two home games in a row SU during the regular season.
Phoenix has won a postseason game on the road in all three of its series, and the Game 1 triumph marked its fifth contest decided by three points or less or in overtime. The Mavericks have been involved in six such outings this postseason.