The pro basketball lines at SBG sportsbook might favor the Phoenix Suns tonight way down Mexico way, but it’s the Dallas Mavericks that hope to rebound in more ways than one.
Dallas Mavericks -1 (-110) 202½ (-110) -118
Phoenix Suns +1 (-110) 202½ (-110) -102
Even though Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes have been showing a lot of rapport with each other as of late, the rest of the team needs to get more involved in all areas of gameplay if they want to pick up more Ws. For instance, Nowitski and Barnes combined for 56 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the Wolves outrebounded the Mavs by 17, and it paradoxically enough it was the latter statistic and not the former that ended up reflected in the final scoreboard. And last week, the Suns had 22 more rebounds than the Mavs, and once again that was what did Dallas in.
All things considered, Mavs fans betting on NBA games should not expect Nowitzki and Barnes to score in excess of 50 points every night, but they should expect them to play a lot of minutes together (something which they had not been doing until recently) – and hope and pray that their teammates will reap the benefits of their newfound chemistry. To add to the Mav’s woes, Andrew Bogut is questionable for tonight with a hamstring injury. Therefore, guys like Rick Carlisle will have to step up their game – with or without Bogut, for that matter.
And speaking of stepping up, tonight’s game will be played in the heights of Mexico City, something that is bound to affect the pro basketball lines – and thus something that people betting on NBA games should account for. The Suns should struggle with the altitude as well as the Mavs, so that’s something of an equalizer. On the other hand, the Suns should not be too surprised if they receive the support of the local fans. Both coach Earl Watson and player Devin Booker have Mexican-American mothers. Moms support their children by default, but the Suns need all the support they can get, and there are in fact a few things that Phoenix fans betting on NBA games can get behind. For example, the Suns defensive prowess.
The Suns rank third in the league in steals per game with 8.7, behind the Warriors and the Raptors. Rebounding is another big positive, both collectively and individually. The Suns average 45.1 rebounds per game, which puts them in seventh place in the league in that category. Moreover, former Maverick Tyson Chandler ranks eighth in the league with 11.7 rebounds per game – something of which he gave his former team a little taste last time they met. And if he decides to take over the boards once again tonight, that might just be enough to justify the Suns’ advantage as far as pro basketball lines are concerned. All things considered, it should be a fun night out for Mexican NBA fans, whether or not they are of the wagering persuasion.