Mavericks vs. Suns Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 5 (Phoenix Leans on Defense to Hold Off Dallas)

Mavericks vs. Suns Game Info

• Date: Monday, December 5, 2022
• Time: 8:30 PM ET
• Venue: American Airlines Center -- Dallas, Texas
• Coverage: NBA TV, BSSW, and BSAZ

The 2022-23 NBA season continues with eight games slated for Monday, Dec. 5, including a Western Conference meeting between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. The Mavericks return home after playing a lot of games on the road lately, hoping to build off the momentum from their 121-100 victory against the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Defending home court won't be easy against the surging Suns, though. Phoenix has won seven of its last eight games, including a 133-95 blowout win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, led by a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double from DeAndre Ayton.

Can the Mavericks stay strong at American Airlines Center? Or will the Suns get the best of Luka Doncic's team yet again?

Mavericks vs. Suns Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: DAL: (-146) | PHO: (+124)
• Spread: DAL: -3 (-110) | PHO: +3 (-110)
• Total: 222 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Mavericks enter this contest as slight home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 8:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 222 points, which is third-lowest of Monday's projected totals.

Mavericks vs. Suns Betting Trends

• The Mavericks have covered the spread six times over 22 games with a set spread.
• Games involving the Mavericks have hit the over 13 times this season.
• Suns games this year have hit the over on 10 of 22 set point totals (45.5%).
• Dallas has covered the spread in a lower percentage of its home games than road games. It has covered three times in 12 games at home, and it has covered three times in 10 games when playing on the road.
• Phoenix's winning percentage against the spread at home is .643 (9-5-0). Away, it is .625 (5-3-0).

Mavericks vs. Suns Prediction & Pick

The Suns were victorious when these two teams clashed to open the new campaign, defeating the Mavericks, 107-105, back on Oct. 19. Not only did the win give Phoenix a boost to begin its season, but it also served as revenge after being eliminated by Dallas in the 2021-22 Western Conference Semifinals.

Unfortunately for Mavs fans, I see their offense getting shut down again. Despite Doncic's best efforts, his team only averages 110.6 PPG (10th-worst in the NBA). Now, they must face the Suns, who not only score 116.7 PPG (No. 7) but also only allow 108.4 PPG (No. 5) on 46.1% shooting (No. 9).

It's also worth pointing out that the Suns have covered the spread in four of their last six road games, whereas the Mavericks are 3-8-1 against the spread (ATS) at home this season. Considering how Dallas has also dropped five of its last seven games while Phoenix is 17-4 straight up in its last 21 games against its upcoming opponent, I like the Suns' odds of winning tonight.

Final Score Prediction: Suns: 112 | Mavericks: 108

Mavericks vs. Suns Best Bet

FanDuel Sportsbook lists Luka Doncic as having a projected total of 32.5 points for tonight. While the Slovenian superstar paces the league with a 33.4 PPG rate, he has finished with 32 or fewer points in four of his last seven games.

On top of that, he's finished with the under on this prop in 10 of his 13 all-time matchups against the Suns, including in five of the last six collisions. With Phoenix, once again, boasting one of the better defenses in the Association, I'm backing Doncic to finish with under 32.5 points.

Bet: Luka Doncic — Under 32.5 Points (-125)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.