It’s amazing what a single win can do for a team’s title prospects.
The Phoenix Suns’ NBA Championship odds moved from +320 to +250 at BetMGM hours after Monty Williams’ squad downed the Dallas Mavericks 121-114 in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series.
It was an impressive wire-to-wire win for the defending conference champs, who led by as many as 21 points before the Mavs stepped on the gas in the final frame. Deandre Ayton paced the Suns with 25 points and Devin Booker came close to notching a triple-double with 23 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in just his second game back from a hamstring injury.
The Suns now have the shortest odds to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time since the playoffs began on April 16. The previous leader in the clubhouse had been the Golden State Warriors, whose odds shifted from +300 entering the second round to +260 after their gritty Game 1 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
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Here are three reasons why Phoenix deserves to be in pole position:
Booker bounced back
Suns fans collectively held their breath on April 19 when Booker exited Game 2 of Phoenix’s first-round matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans with a strained right hamstring. The three-time All-Star missed the next three games of the series and scored just 13 points in his return nine days later in Game 6. Although he insisted he was fine, Booker took just 12 shots in 32 minutes and looked considerably less aggressive than normal.
Just beautiful, @DevinBook ???? pic.twitter.com/NucRWOnOFh
— NBA Spain (@NBAspain) May 3, 2022
Any worries about Booker’s hammy were put to rest on Monday night as he showcased his entire offensive arsenal. There were putbacks, pullups, midrange daggers, and even an emphatic dunk through the lane late in the second quarter. Booker’s shooting splits were still a little underwhelming, but there’s no doubt he’s back and ready to contribute at an elite level.
Chris Paul has been nearly perfect
One game after becoming the first player in NBA history to go 14-for-14 from the field, Chris Paul made seven of his 13 field goal attempts (including two of his five 3-point tries) to finish with 19 points. It was another gem for the 10-time All-NBA selection, who is now shooting a ridiculous 56.3% from the field and 96.4% from the free-throw line in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
The knock on Paul has always been durability, but he appears healthy and fully locked in as he continues his quest for the first championship in his Hall of Fame career. Do you really want to bet against a guy who’s making shots like this:
CP3 banks in a ridiculous shot ???? pic.twitter.com/pfERWt7uJG
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 3, 2022
The Warriors may have their hands full
The Warriors deserve credit for their come-from-behind victory against the Grizzlies — especially with Draymond Green watching from the tunnel — but the uncomfortably close win could be a harbinger of things to come. The Grizzlies won three of their four regular-season clashes with the Warriors and have the size, speed, and athleticism to give Golden State fits.
That was especially apparent in their last regular season dust-up on March 28, as the Grizzlies posted a 24-9 differential in fastbreak points en route to a breezy 123-95 win. The Warriors are still heavily favored to win the series at -550, but Memphis can wear them down just enough to make Golden State vulnerable in the conference finals.
The Suns are rising
The Suns resume their series with the Mavs on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. ET. Phoenix opened as a 6-point favorite at most sportsbooks with the total set at 216.
