So much for challenging the Lakers. The Dallas Mavericks lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night, continuing their recent abysmal performance against the pointspread. Things get no easier on Wednesday as they play host to a Western Conference contender headed in the opposite direction, the Phoenix Suns. Dallas has opened as 4.5-point favorites at the majority of our recommended online sportsbooks.

Perhaps it was the fact that they were the host city for the All-Star festivities that got them. Whatever the reason, the Mavs stunk both offensively and defensively in last night's 99-86 loss to the Thunder. They allowed 40 second quarter points and scored just 11 in the third quarter. The game marked the debut of Caron Butler, who scored 13 points, as well as two other new Mavs. The team actually did lead by as many as 12 points in the first half before being overwhelmed by the Oklahoma City offense.

Dallas now leads the Thunder by just one half game in the Western Conference standings, although they are guaranteed no worse than the fourth seed if they were to win the Southwest Division, where they currently hold a one-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs.

A larger problem has been the Mavericks performance against the pointspread. The ATS loss dropped them to 3-14 vs. the number their last 17 games and they are a NBA worst 5-19 ATS in home games this season. That includes 0-7 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 6 points, the price range they find themselves in here.

Phoenix, meanwhile, got its second half off on the right foot with a 109-95 road win over Memphis. They led by as many as 21 and outscored the Grizzlies in the paint, 58-32, while outshooting them 50-36% for the game. The win improved the Suns to 6-1 SU/ATS their last seven games. They are currently in sixth place in the crowded Western Conference.

This is the third meeting of the season between the teams. Phoenix has covered both, but the home team has won straight up both times as Dallas won here 102-101, laying 4.5 points back on December 8th.

The oddsmakers are clearly expecting a high scoring affair with a total of 218 points. Dallas is 13-5 Under when playing with revenge this season.

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