Game Preview
The Dallas Mavericks (19-11) roll into Phoenix riding a one-game skid, looking to bounce back against the Suns (15-14) on Friday night. Over the full season, the Mavs have been the superior team, winning just under 65% of their games compared to the Suns' 52% clip. They've also boasted a potent offense, averaging 118.2 points while shooting a shade above 48% from the field.
However, recent form suggests this could be a tight matchup. Over their last 20 games, both teams are hovering around a 70% win rate, with the Mavs holding a slight 5-game edge. While Dallas has maintained its scoring prowess at 120.2 points per game, the Suns have tightened up defensively, limiting opponents to 116.2 points – a notable 3.5-point improvement over their season average.
Looking at the last 10 games, the Mavericks have surged, winning 7 of 10 while averaging a blistering 120.6 points. They've been lethal from deep, hitting nearly 41% of their three-point attempts. The Suns, meanwhile, have stumbled to a 4-6 record despite incremental improvements in scoring (113.5 ppg) and defensive rebounding (41.3 rpg).
In their last 5 outings, both teams have cooled slightly on offense. Dallas is scoring 116.4 points per game while Phoenix musters just 110.4 – a concerning drop considering their usually potent attack. However, the Mavs have remained stingy on defense, surrendering 112.2 points compared to the Suns' 115.8 points allowed. If recent trends hold, this could tilt the scales in Dallas' favor in what projects as a tightly contested affair.