Phoenix visits the Rejuvenated Mavs Saturday Night

Phoenix Suns (21-44) v Dallas Mavericks (28-36)

Saturday 3/11/2017 7:00pm
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Fox Sports Arizona/Arizona Sports 98.7FM

Season Series – Phoenix leads 2-1
All-Time Series – Phoenix leads 78-71
Last Matchup – February 13, 2017 Phoenix Lost 113-108
Suns’ Last Game – Loss to the Los Angeles Lakers 122-110
Dallas’ Last Game – Victory to the Brookyln Nets 105-96
Suns’ Scoring Averages – PTS/G: 107.8 (7th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 112.9 (29th of 30)
Dallas’ Scoring Averages –PTS/G: 98.4 (30th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 99.8 (3rd of 30)

Preview

The last match up between these two resulted in a thriller in Mexico City. Devin Booker scored 39 points and almost single-handedly pulled off a miraculous fourth quarter comeback. In the last seven minutes of the game Booker scored 21 points which began the legend of Devin Booker in Mexico. In his next performance in Mexico two days later against the Spurs, Booker went toe-to-toe with Kawhi Leonard leading the Suns to an upset victory won the game with a game-high 39 points.

Back in Mexico City the Mavs and Suns looked significantly different from today. Deron Williams was still the starting point guard for Dallas and D-League sensation Yogi Ferrell had not been discovered yet. With Phoenix, P.J. Tucker (who is now in Toronto) had been playing significant minutes and Knight and Chandler had not yet been been benched in favor of the youth movement.

After starting the season 3-15, Dallas has stormed back with a 25-21 record with a current 5-0 home winning streak and 6-1 in their last seven. Dallas’ recent success can be attributed to their block buster trade before the trade deadline that sent Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, and a heavily guarded 1st round pick to Dallas for Nerlens Noel. Since joining the team, Noel has averaged 10.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, in 24.2 minutes per game. The Mavericks have also kick started their youth movement with Noel, Harrison Barnes, and Yogi Ferrell each playing significant roles.

For Phoenix Alan Williams has been on a tear as of late. In his last five games Williams has posted 14.4 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1.4 blocks, in 26.2 minutes per game. Williams is the ultra-hyper, high energy bench player who has helped fuel the Suns to a 3-2 record in their last five games. Tyler Ulis has also sparked the bench unit and has solidified himself as a mini floor general.

Tonight’s game may not have the same draft stock ramifications as the Laker vs Suns game but it can still be considered The Battle of the Tanks. If Phoenix win this contest they move one step farther way from the second pick. While if Dallas wins they will have jumped Portland and move from the 10th pick to the 12th.

Three Interesting Stats

Phoenix Suns

1. Since the All-Star break the Suns are 3-5 and are averaging 114.1 points per game which is 8 more points than before the break. Unfortunately the Suns are also surrendering 4 more points per game as well.

2. In two games against Dallas, Devin Booker is averaging 30.5 points per game on 75.3% true shooting and 90% from three.

3. The Suns are 0-20 this season when allowing 120+ points to their opponents and are allowing 116.4 to their opponents since the All-Star break.

Dallas Mavericks

1. Dallas is 8-56 when held to under 100 points. Averaging 104 points in wins and 93 points in losses

2. Dirk Nowitzki is averaging only 15.5 points on 41.4% from the field vs the Suns this season compared to 21.7 points on 47.8% for his career.

3. Dallas is 20-14 at home and only 8-22 on the road.