The Suns vs Mavericks Christmas Day Game does not look like a clash of league giants anymore given the injury to both teams but Kevin Durant vs Luka Doncic can still make a good TV moment.
Add to that the mini rivalry between Doncic and Devin Booker that started in the 2022 playoffs.
It is still not sure if Kyrie Irving will be able to play for the Dallas Mavericks due to a right heel contusion he suffered earlier this month. Bradley Beal is still day-to-day for the Phoenix Suns after getting injured in the game against the New York Knicks last week.
Despite injuries to key players, there is still enough firepower from both teams. Some players are stepping up while the main guys are out.
Tip-off is at 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 25.
Suns vs. Mavericks Christmas Day Game: Odds, Spread, Betting Lines
Mavericks are slight favorites in this game although they are a little more tired than the Suns after playing the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs in two straight days.
Spread: Mavericks +4.5 (-118) | Suns -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: DAL (+145) | PHX (-188)
Total: 226.5 - Over (-110) | Under (-110)
Suns vs. Mavericks Christmas Day Preview
The Mavs have the better record so far although they have the worse form based on their last five games. Their loss came from teams above .500 such as the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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The Suns, owing to their depleted line up, lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Knicks.
However, those losses are not the main storylines for this match-up. It will be Luka Doncic's all-around plays against the scoring prowess of Kevin Durant. The two are second and third in the scoring list this season behind Joel Embiid.
Mavs may be missing Irving but several players have been stepping up in his absence. A reborn Dante Exum has been delivering as a scoring partner for Doncic. He averages 17 ppg in their last five in 42.6% shooting.
Derrick Jones Jr. is also providing spark both on offense and help defense.
Meanwhile, for the Suns, depth, as many analysts have pointed out before the start of the season, is an issue.
Coach Fran Vogel's squad are 27th in bench scoring. Overall, they are 24th in offensive rating and 13th in defensive rating. They have net rating of -1.9, good for a 24th rank.
Hard to be obsessed with analytics though in a Christmas Day game that always carry a playoff atmosphere. This is a big night and big time players always come out.
The Suns are the underdogs but when Kevin Durant plays, he can carry them on his back.
Suns vs. Mavericks Christmas Day Pick
The Suns have the home-court advantage but the Mavericks are not that bad on the road with a 9-5 record. KD and company fails to protect their home, too, with a 7-8 record.
This is going to be a tight game with both KD and Doncic scoring at least 30 points.
Mavs will still come out with the win, 116-112.
Related article: 5 Best NBA Christmas Day Games Ever, Ranked
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