The Dallas Mavericks have tied the series up at 2-2 against the Phoenix Suns after a 111-101 win in Game 4 at home. Will the Mavs make it three in a row? Or will the Suns stop the bleeding when the series returns to their backyard? Check out our preview below of this Mavs vs. Suns 2022 NBA Playoffs game.
The Mavs are doing a fine job neutralizing Phoenix by containing its best playmaker. Chris Paul has been having a hard time of late in the series, thanks in large part to the increased defensive focus on him by Dallas, which has held the Point God to just 17 points in the last two games while also forcing him to commit a total of 9 turnovers to 11 assists. Paul only had 5 points in Game 4 while also committing 2 turnovers before fouling out. Meanwhile, the Mavs’ offense is starting to heat up. After heavily depending on Luka Doncic in Games 1 and 2, the Mavs are not enjoying the ample production from the likes of Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson. Finney-Smith has knocked down 12 threes on 52.2 percent shooting from deep in the last two games, while Brunson has scored 46 points over the same stretch.
The Mavs are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games overall.
The trip to Texas was a horrendous one for the Suns, who must be thrilled over their looming return to friendlier confines for Game 5 of the series. A change of scenery could help the Suns get back to their winning ways. Devin Booker, however, doesn’t seem to care where games are played, as he’s been smoking all series long. In Game 4, he dropped 35 points on 10/22 shooting from the field and 12/13 from the free-throw line. So far in the second round, Booker is averaging 26.5 points while also shooting 52.0 percent from behind the arc. Deandre Ayton, meanwhile, needs to be featured more. He is only averaging 16 points in the series even though he put up a total of 47 points in Games 1 and 2 combined.
The Suns are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games at home.
