The Dallas Mavericks hit the road after a 4-game home stand as they take on the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center tonight. This will be the third of four annual matchups between these two teams, with the season series currently tied at 1 game a piece. The Suns will enter this contest on a 4-game win streak.
The Mavericks currently hold a 25-24 record for the season, good for the 6th spot in the Western Conference standings so far. They will enter this game having lost 4 of their last 5, with their last game being a close 127-126 loss against the Washington Wizards. Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma scored a clutch 30 points as he helped his team survive Luka and his Mavs.
On the other hand, the Suns have struggled so far this season. They currently sit at the 7th spot in the competitive Western Conference with a 25-24 record as well. They were comfortably near the top of the standings before Devin Booker got injured.
Their last game was a blowout 128-97 win at home against the Charlotte Hornets. Cam Johnson scored a game-high 24 points along with Chris Paul who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists.
Luka Doncic is listed as available for the Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns game tonight
Luka Doncic has been playing at an elite level this season. The 23-year-old is already making records left and right in his 5th NBA season. The Slovenian prodigy has played in 44 games this season so far and is averaging an impressive 33.8/9.1/8.6. He leads the league in scoring and is also firmly in the MVP conversation. He is listed as available for tonight’s game against the Suns.
LUKA DONCIC DOING MVP THINGS AGAIN pic.twitter.com/zdTxjfuapS
— Slightly Biased (@BiasedSlightly) January 19, 2023
For the Mavericks, forwards Christian Wood (thumb) and Maxi Kleber (hamstring) will remain out for tonight’s game against the Suns.
The Suns will enter tonight’s game severely short-handed as they will be missing guards Devin Booker (groin), Landry Shamet (foot), Cameron Payne (foot), and forwards Jae Crowder (personal) and DeAndre Ayton (illness), all of whom are listed as out for tonight’s game.
Here are the injury reports and expected roster for the Mavericks-Suns game tonight:
Dallas Mavericks injury report
- Christian Wood (Out)
- Maxi Kleber (Out)
Dallas Mavericks expected roster
-
Luka Doncic
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Tim Hardaway Jr.
- Dorian Finney-Smith
- Dwight Powell
Phoenix Suns injury report
- Devin Booker (Out)
- Landry Shamet (Out)
- Cameron Payne (Out)
- DeAndre Ayton (Out)
- Jae Crowder (Out)
Phoenix Suns expected roster
- Chris Paul
- Mikal Bridges
- Torrey Craig
- Cameron Johnson
-
Bismack Biyombo
The Dallas Mavericks are favored to win against the Phoenix Suns
The last time these two teams faced off against each other was on December 6 last year in which the Mavericks secured a 130-111 win. Luka Doncic scored a game-high 33 points in that game, leading his team to the win. For the Suns, DeAndre Ayton scored 20 points in that loss. Tonight, that result is likely to repeat.
Keeping Doncic’s scoring in check would be key if the Suns want to win this one. However, with Booker and Ayton out the Suns would lack the offensive punch to help them win this game. So, expect a win for Luka and Co. but an exciting game nonetheless, as these are two closely-matched rivals.
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