DALLAS — This is the second time that Dallas has taken control of three different possessions in a row. Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka DoncicYou drove straight down the lane. Then, you finished your run with a 2-handed dunk.
The top-ranked Phoenix SunsDoncic, who was trailing by 20 points in the third quarter, called timeout. Doncic had an opportunity to celebrate his post-dunk success beyond the flexing and snarling that he did after several baskets during the Mavs' series-evening 113-86-2 win at the American Airlines Center. Doncic marched out to the halfcourt, nodding his head in the direction the Suns' bench.
After Doncic was forced to listen to the Suns bark during Game 5, Doncic got a little revenge. The series, which has not featured any close games, was quite chippy. It will end in Game 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Doncic declared, after his 33-point performance with 11 rebounds and 4 steals, that he liked the way people talk to him. It gets me moving. It's fun.”
This was the first time that Doncic, a 23-year-old NBA player, had won a game with the Mavericks while being eliminated. Doncic shined brightly in every opportunity he had on that stage, even though he lost to the Final Four. LA ClippersThe previous postseasons had an average of 39 points, 9 boards, and 11 assists in three win or go home games.
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Doncic's scoring average is the highest of any player in NBA history for games in which their teams are facing elimination.
Jason Kidd, Dallas coach, said that although elimination is the term you use, it's not the same thing as another game. Our journey is to win a championship. Sometimes it ends in June, other times you can play until June. He just seems to enjoy being there. He is not afraid of the stage.”
Doncic produced better than Phoenix's All Star guards Devin Booker(19 points, 3 assists). Chris Paul (13 points, 4 assists) combined. The Suns had a season low of points and a high season in turnovers (22) but shot just 39.7% from the floor.
“We just continued applying pressure,” said Mavs guard Jalen BrunsonHe had 18 points and three steals. “Now it's over. Now we have to figure out how to win in Phoenix.”
Booker and Paul were particularly sloppy and combined for eight turnovers. It was the second time in this series that Paul recorded more turnovers than assists — the first time in his career that has happened in a single postseason, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Monty Williams, Phoenix coach said he didn’t believe that the Suns “understood desperation. [Mavs]”We were going to play with”, a factor in being dominated 29-6 in points off turnovers.
“It must be a team effort where everyone is on the exact same page,” stated center Deandre AytonThe Suns' leader with 21 points, and 11 rebounds was Jeremy. It wasn't like that tonight. There were many mistakes. It felt like a regular season game with the number of mistakes that we had today. The turnovers were unacceptable. It was an unacceptable game. They wanted it more, dudes.”
Doncic was especially firm with the Suns, executing on his post-Game 5 promise that he would attack the paint more. 14 of his 26 field goals were made in the paint, with 8-of-13 shots in the restricted area.
He's a tough player. He's a great athlete,” stated Dallas forward Reggie BullockBooker's primary defender, he scored 19 points. It's funny to me how they try to guard him. He'll be brought up in every pick and roll, but when he has the switch it's a bucket. I don’t know what the switches are with him. [on defense]To always get a bucket. I know that we are going to support him. He's our teammate. He will keep us on the offensive and give us his best defensively.
Doncic's lone Game 7 in his career was a historic one. Although he had 46 points against the Clippers and 14 assists, that was a historic statistical line according to Elias Sports Bureau. The Mavericks suffered a narrow loss.
Doncic stated, “I don’t care about stats so long as we win.” “If we win I'm happy. I don't care about the statistics, but winning is going to be incredible. We won the game on defense, and we have another one.
This will be Booker's first Game 7 in his career. Paul is currently 3-4 in Game 7s, including 2-2 at his home court.
Paul stated, “I feel like our team worked as hard as they did all season to get homecourt.” “Just because you have home courts doesn't mean you will win the game, we would rather play at home than here.
“I've been there before. Seen it. It's not 20 points ahead in these playoff games. That's the best part about them. Every game has its own personality, and it's now down to Game 7.
This report was contributed to by Dave McMenamin from ESPN.
