Suns vs. Mavericks rating, takeaways: Phoenix drops Dallas in Recreation 1; Luka Doncic’s 45-point evening not sufficient

Suns vs. Mavericks score, takeaways: Phoenix drops Dallas in Game 1; Luka Doncic's 45-point night not enough - CBS Sports

The Phoenix Suns seemed quite a bit just like the No. 1 general seed as they made comparatively simple work of the Dallas Mavericks on Monday evening, holding on for a 121-114 win in Recreation 1 of their second-round collection. Recreation 2 is about for Wednesday evening in Phoenix.

Simply 14 seconds into the sport, Chris Paul hit a mid-range jumper to present the Suns a lead they’d by no means give up. It took lower than 5 minutes for them to push their benefit to double digits, which is the place it could stay for many of the recreation. The Mavericks stayed aggressive your complete manner, and used a late fourth-quarter run to make the ultimate rating respectable, nevertheless it by no means appeared like they’d really win.

Deandre Ayton was terrific towards the Mavericks’ small frontcourt, ending with 25 factors and eight rebounds on 12 of 19 from the sphere, whereas Devin Booker went for 23 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists. Cameron Johnson added 17 factors off the bench because the Suns shot over 50 p.c from the sphere for the sport.

Luka Doncic led the way in which for the Mavericks, falling simply wanting a triple-double with 45 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists. He both scored or assisted on 23 of the Mavericks’ 40 discipline targets. This was his sixth profession 40-point playoff recreation.  

Listed below are some key takeaways from the sport:

1. Suns go wire-to-wire with machine-like effectivity

On the primary three possessions of the sport, the Suns bought a mid-range jumper from Chris Paul, a steal and slam from Mikal Bridges and a runout layup from Devin Booker. A couple of minutes later, Jae Crowder hit a 3-pointer off a pick-and-pop and swiftly it was 9-0. 

The Suns would keep that lead for the remainder of the sport. Whereas their protection is commonly praised, and for good motive, it was their machine-like effectivity on the offensive finish that proved to be the distinction on this one. There have been a couple of stretches the place the Mavericks bought red-hot from 3-point land and Luka Doncic began going off, however none of it mattered as a result of the Suns bought no matter they wished on the offensive finish. 

This was a traditional Suns efficiency: 50.5 p.c from the sphere; 39.3 p.c from 3-point land; nobody over 25 factors however seven totally different gamers with a minimum of 9; simply 9 turnovers as a group. The Suns clearly have a bunch of nice gamers, however this is not some all-time tremendous group that out-talents you. Quite, they stick with their system, play inside their roles and easily don’t let up. 

2. Ayton makes Mavericks pay

It took over 4 minutes for Deandre Ayton to get his first basket — an and-one layup off a feed from Devin Booker within the pick-and-roll — however as soon as he bought on the board he couldn’t be stopped. He completed with 25 factors and eight rebounds on 12 of 20 from the sphere in certainly one of his greatest performances of the postseason. 

Ever since buying and selling Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks have leaned into an excessive small-ball method. They’re tremendous laborious to protect in consequence, however in addition they quit plenty of measurement on the opposite finish and Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber are at an enormous drawback towards facilities like Ayton who can really rating the ball. 

Ayton had three dunks and was 9 of 15 within the paint. Even when he did not get one of the best place or barely mishandled a cross, he may simply stand up and shoot over the smaller Mavericks defenders. Judging by Recreation 1, Ayton goes to be an enormous drawback on this collection, and it would not seem the Mavericks have many choices to gradual him down. 

3. Doncic’s brilliance not sufficient

A calf pressure stored Luka Doncic out of the primary three video games of the postseason, and even now he doesn’t appear to be at one hundred pc. However even a hobbled Doncic is healthier than most gamers within the league, as he proved as soon as once more with an incredible efficiency in Recreation 1. 

Doncic was the one one who may get something going early on as he scored 14 of the Mavericks’ 25 factors within the first quarter. Regardless of his sizzling begin, they trailed by 10 on the first break. That proved to be the theme of the sport, because the Slovenian’s solo act got here up brief. 

He completed with 45 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists on 15 of 30 from the sphere in over 44 minutes, recording his sixth profession 40-point recreation within the playoffs. Nobody else in NBA historical past has extra such video games earlier than turning 24. He both scored or assisted on 23 of the Mavericks’ 37 made discipline targets (62.1 p.c) whereas has on the ground. 

Even acknowledging that Doncic bought a bunch of factors towards the top of the sport in a failed comeback try, it is in all probability not an ideal signal that he practically put up a 40-point triple-double and the Mavericks have been simply outplayed. Both he will need to put collectively 4 superhuman performances, or another person on the Mavs goes to need to step up for them to win this collection. 

MON 10: 00 P

PHO -6, o214.5

TNT

Season Leaders

factors headshot-imageteam-logoL. Doncic33.0 PTS, 6.3 AST, 11.0 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoL. Doncic33.0 PTS, 6.3 AST, 11.0 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoD. Booker23.0 PTS, 5.0 AST, 5.0 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoD. Booker23.0 PTS, 5.0 AST, 5.0 REB assists headshot-imageteam-logoL. Doncic33.0 PTS, 6.3 AST, 11.0 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoL. Doncic33.0 PTS, 6.3 AST, 11.0 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoC. Paul21.9 PTS, 10.1 AST, 4.4 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoC. Paul21.9 PTS, 10.1 AST, 4.4 REB rebounds headshot-imageteam-logoL. Doncic33.0 PTS, 6.3 AST, 11.0 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoL. Doncic33.0 PTS, 6.3 AST, 11.0 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoD. Ayton21.1 PTS, 2.1 AST, 9.6 REBheadshot-imageteam-logoD. Ayton21.1 PTS, 2.1 AST, 9.6 REB

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FINAL SCORE: Suns 121, Mavericks 114. Phoenix will get a wire-to-wire win

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Devin Booker: 23 factors, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 7-20 FG, 8-8 FT, 1 TO in 38 min

Chris Paul: 19 factors, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 7-13 FG, 1 TO in 29 min

Deandre Ayton: 25 factors, 8 rebounds, 12-20 FG

Mikal Bridges: 13 pobita, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

Jae Crowder: 11 factors, 8 rebounds, 3 assists

Cameron Johnson: 17 factors, 5 rebounds, 6-10 FG

Luka Doncic: 45 factors, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 15-30 FG, 11-14 FT, 5 TO in 44 min

Maxi Kleber: 19 factors, 6-9 FG, 5-8 3PT in 25 min

Dorian Finney-Smith: 15 factors, 5-10 FG, 6 rebounds in 40 min

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Dinwiddie misses a meaningless 3 on the buzzer

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Booker places the Mavs away with two free throws

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The Mavs challenged the decision, nevertheless it was not profitable

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7.2 seconds left, and we have now one other timeout. Suns 119, Mavs 114

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I assumed the Mavs have been about to power a turnover on Booker close to the baseline. Appeared like he traveled, perhaps. However nope, it is a foul, and Booker desires a overview as a result of Dinwiddie hit him within the eye

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Lastly, Luka swishes an extended 3

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Bridges makes each FTs and the Suns have not missed a single FT tonight: 16-16

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Doncic fouls Bridges, 16.8 seconds left now. In the event that they maintain buying and selling 2 factors for two factors, the Suns will win lol

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Luka goes proper to the entrance of the rim and scores. Mavs do not get 3s up right here, although

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The Suns simply do not miss clutch free throws do they

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Mavs attempt to entice Phoenix however they’re compelled to foul Bridges with 30.9 on the clock

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DFS makes each FTs so it is 115-109

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Mavs get it to Luka for a post-up, and he finds DFS close to the rim. He is fouled with 42.2 seconds on the clock

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Booker extends the result in 8. Timeout Dallas. The Mavs want one thing miraculous to occur

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47.3 seconds left, Suns up 113-107, Booker on the line after a foul on Josh Inexperienced

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Luka targets Ayton on a PNR, will get to the rim and dunks on Crowder. He has 40

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Dinwiddie cuts it to 113-105 with a nook 3 in transition. The Mavs are on a 20-7 run

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Dallas has simplified the sport by going small. But when the Mavs cannot go on an enormous run proper now, then they’ve given the Suns some good movie to take a look at in order that they’re extra ready for it subsequent time 

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