[Tommy]

By Michael Licalsi.

The Suns come rolling into Dallas as seven point underdogs after evening up the series with a 106-86 Game 4 win.

In that game, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki went 3-13 from the field and Jason Terry was 4-11. The team also had just 11 assists total. The Mavericks can not afford for their two superstars to play like that again, or their dreams for an NBA finals appearance will be just that, a dream.

Phoenix was also aided in Game 4 by the return of guard Raja Bell from his calf injury. Even though Bell only had nine points in the games, he played 31 crucial minutes which allowed the other players to rest more.

My analysis for this game shows that Dallas is just 4-6 against the spread (ATS) as a seven point favorite. In the first two series games in Dallas, Phoenix won Game 1 and lost Game 2 by exactly seven points. Phoenix was actually winning Game 2 after three quarters so they have proven that they are not intimidated by playing in Dallas.

The bottom line is that I can see Dallas winning this game, but I can also see the Suns coming away victorious. Certainly, Dallas has the motivation as they want to avenge last game’s annihilation, and they can’t afford to go back to Phoenix down 3-2.

However, the Suns are a group of highly paid professionals as well as high character guys. The Suns have scratched and clawed all playoffs long, and they will continue to fight for a shot at the NBA finals. I see this game coming down to the wire, and that is why I am taking the Suns and the seven points.

Pick: Phoenix

Bet Now: Phoenix (+7) at Dallas

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