The Suns threw an early punch in the second round series against the Mavericks by winning Game 1 (121-114). Dallas rallied in the fourth quarter but came up short against the best regular season team.
Luka Doncic was the top scorer of the game with 45 points. While the Slovenian superstar score the lion’s share of the Mavs’ points, the Suns’ offense was more balanced.
DeAndre Ayton led the winners with 25 points, followed by Devin Booker with 23. The whole Phoenix starting lineup finished the game in double digit scoring and Cameron Johnson added 17 points coming off the bench.
Ahead of Game 2 Phoenix head coach Monty Williams talked about defending against Dallas leaders Doncic, Jalen Brunson and Maxi Kleber.
“Luka’s a guy that can draw attention anyway,” he said. “He’s so doggone big and his arms are longer than you realize. So even when you’re going to help, he can pass over the help on point on time right in the shot pocket.
“And then Brunson has the ability to get to the paint and Kleber’s a different big in that he can run off three or four in a row. And it naturally pulls your bigs away. But the natural bent of any seven footer is to want to protect the paint.
“So if we can stay out of those rotations and guard the ball a lot better and then there were times where we did guard the ball, we just reached and fouled which you don’t have to do.
“It’s easier said than done when you’re playing against three guys like that can get to the paint and cause you to double or rotate. It’s a tough task.”
Williams also talked about how the Mavericks are trying to take advantage of switches and force certain matchups. “They have one of the best point guards of all time that probably knows more about that position and how to manipulate switches more than anybody,” he said.
“And then they have three guys that force you with their ability to get down the lane. Sometimes you end up in a late situation. But I think they do a really good job of getting the matchup that they feel like they want. But most teams do that. That’s not something that’s new to the NBA.”
Ahead of tonight’s game, the Suns are considered favorites amongst bookmakers, with NBA lines site Betway pricing Phoenix at 1.40 to beat the Mavericks. The NBA odds for Dallas to win this game are at 3.20. Draw is 15.00.
