Vegas Line at this writing: Dallas -8 (206.5)
Major injury updates
Phoenix: Brandon Knight, out for the year (ankle, Monday)
Dallas: Chandler Parson, downgraded to doubtful for tonight (chronic knee)
The Phoenix Suns haven’t been completely eliminated from the playoffs but doctors are on stand by to declare the patient dead. Phoenix trails OKC by three full games and New Orleans by 3.5 in a three way fight for the eighth and final playoff spot on the West with just four games to play. The Suns have lost six of seven including a 96-69 drubbing in Atlanta last time out. Dallas has lost five of seven but the heavy lifting has been done and the Mavs will be the No.7 seed in the West.
The teams have met three times this year with Phoenix looking to complete a series sweep tonight. The Suns owns wins of 118-106 here (+6, 206), 124-115 in Phoenix (-1.5, 215) and 98-92 (+4, 205.5) on March 22nd in The Valley of the Sun. Phoenix has won five of the L7 in the series and is 6-2 in their L8 as a home dog. Phoenix is also 5-2 ATS if playing on the road in second of B2Bs. The Mavs are 1-5 in their L6 as a home favorite and the Over is 6-3 L9 in the series and Dallas is on a short 3-1 Over run itself.
Phoenix: Players to watch (Probable Starters)
PF Markief Morris (15.4, 6.1, 2.3)
PF Marcus Morris (10.5, 4.6, 1.6)
SF Gerald Green (11.6, 2.5, 1.2)
PG Eric Bledsoe (17.1, 5.3, 6.0)
SF P.J. Tucker (9.1, 6.4, 1.6)
Dallas: Players to watch (Probable Starters)
SG Monta Ellis (19.1, 2.1, 4.1)
C Tyson Chandler (10.0, 11.4, 1.4)
SF Richard Jefferson (5.5, 2.5, 0.8)
PG Rajon Rondo (8.8, 5.6, 7.9)
PF Dirk Nowitzki (17.2, 6.0, 1.2)
Allen’s Angles
Phoenix is 8-15 ATS L23 after scoring 85 points or less, 2-4 this year
The Suns are 8-15 ATS in their L23 vs winning records
Phoenix is 9-18 ATS in their L27 vs teams averaging 99+ points per game
The Under is 20-9 in the Suns L29 games
Dallas is 3-12 ATS this year vs. Pacific division opponents
The Mavs are 7-18 ATS this year after allowing 105+ points
The Under is 11-5 this year when the MJavs are off a DD loss
The Over is 7-3 in L10 Dallas games with 3+ days rest, 0-1 this year