The Phoenix Suns are favored to beat the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs. It could be a difficult series for the top-seeded Suns as they try to stop Luka Doncic from reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time.

The Suns have -275 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the upcoming series. The Mavericks are given +220 odds to pull off the upset.

Both teams needed six games to eliminate their first-round opponents with their top scorers missing half the series. Devin Booker didn’t play in Games 3, 4 and 5 before returning from a hamstring strain in Phoenix’s Game 6 clincher against the New Orleans Pelicans. A calf strain kept Doncic off the court for the first three games of Dallas’ matchup with the Utah Jazz.

The way the Mavericks played in Doncic’s absence should give Dallas hope about its chances of making a deep playoff run. Without their most important player, the Mavericks beat the Jazz twice in three tries, setting up the series victory during Doncic’s eventual return.

There have been questions about Dallas’ supporting cast and whether or not it's good enough to compete with the NBA’s top contenders. Jalen Brunson played like an All-Star in the first round, averaging 27.8 points on 48.4% shooting. Four other Mavericks, aside from Doncic, averaged double-digit points in the series.

In his young career, Doncic has been one of the best playoff performers the NBA has ever seen. Doncic is averaging 32.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.8 assists in 16 career postseason games.

The Mavericks have the fifth-best defense in the playoffs after ranking seventh in defensive efficiency during the regular season. Will the combination of Doncic, his underrated supporting cast and a top-10 defense be enough to take down the Suns?

Phoenix was easily the NBA’s best team in the regular season, finishing eight games ahead of anyone else in the standings. The Suns haven’t been nearly as dominant in the playoffs, even with Booker in the lineup.

There were plenty of moments, however, when Phoenix reminded the league just how it won 64 games and entered the playoffs as the prohibitive favorites to win the 2022 NBA Finals.

Chris Paul was perfect in Game 6 against the Pelicans, making all 14 of his field-goal attempts for 33 points and eight assists. The point guard averaged 22.3 points, 11.3 assists, 1.8 steals and only 1.5 turnovers in the six-game series.

Booker scored 56 points in 66 minutes before injuring his hamstring in Game 2. The shooting guard was rusty with only 13 points in Game 6. Booker will have more time to heal for the second round and could be back at full strength. Leading the Suns with 26.8 points per game in the regular season, Booker might be a top-five MVP candidate.

The Suns are one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Deandre Ayton gave Phoenix a third 20-point per game scorer in the first round. Mikal Bridges is an outstanding two-way player who can do his best to make life difficult for Doncic. Jae Crowder, Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne were all part of Phoenix’s run to last year’s NBA Finals.

Even JaVale McGee has been a postseason contributor and has tons of playoff experience.

Dallas is a legitimate threat to Phoenix, especially if Booker doesn’t get going. The Suns have been the best team since losing in the 2021 Finals, and it’s hard to imagine them coming up short with home-court advantage in the second round.

Series Prediction: Suns in six

Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns high fives fans after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-97. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
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