Suns (19-27) at Mavericks (29-17)
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: FSSW
Radio: ESPN, 103.3 FM, Univision, 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: This is the second night of back-to-back games and after Monday’s strong showing in Oklahoma City, who knows what the Mavericks’ energy level will be for this one . . . In back-to-back situations, they have been a 4-2 record on the second night, including 2-1 when the second game is at AAC . . . The Mavs may unveil new 7-foot center Willie Cauley-Stein, who joined the team in OKC, but did not see action. He was acquired Saturday in a trade with Golden State . . . The Mavericks have won three in a row against the Suns, the final two meetings last season and the first game of four this season, 120-113 in November. In that game, Luka Doncic had 42 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds . . . On the three-game road trip that ended Monday, backup guard Delon Wright averaged 11.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while playing a shade under 29 minutes per game . . . They had one of their best defensive games of the season against the Thunder, holding them to 39.5 percent shooting and 97 points, although it was clear that OKC missed all-star point guard Chris Paul.
About the Suns: At one point this season, they were 11-12 and considered one of the surprise teams in the Western Conference. But then Deandre Ayton was injured and they lost eight games in a row to lose sight of .500 . . . They are coming off Sunday’s 114-109 loss at Memphis and were in Dallas waiting on the Mavericks while they played at OKC . . Guard Devin Booker appears to be headed for his first All-Star appearance, averaging 27 points on just 18.2 shots per game. He makes just over 50 percent of his shots and also chips in 6.3 assists and 4 rebounds per game . . . They are not a great defensive team, allowing teams to shoot 47.3 percent from the field (25th in the NBA) and 37 percent from 3-point range (26th). They also allow 113.7 points per game, 20th in the league . . . Ayton has been a double-double machine when he’s been healthy, averaging 17.1 points and 12.1 rebounds . . . Phoenix’s size beyond Ayton is compromised right now. Centers Aron Baynes (hip) and Frank Kaminsky (knee) and power forward Cameron Johnson (quad) all are listed as out for this game.
Twitter: @ESefko
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