The Dallas Mavericks are, along with the Boston Celtics, the hottest team in the league. The seventh win in a row was achieved against the Phoenix Suns; Luka Doncic was once again in great form for the Mavs in the 123:113 win.
Dallas Mavericks (33-23) – Phoenix Suns (33-23) 123:113 (BOXSCORE)
There have only been seven wins in a row since Luka Doncic was drafted in 2018 – last year, when they also won seven games in a row. The last time there were longer series was in the championship year when you were able to win eight, ten and twelve games in a row.
The win against the Suns was along with the blowout against the OKC Thunder the best success of the series. Doncic scored 41 points (14/27 FG, 6/11 3P), 9 rebounds and 11 assists in 38 minutes for the Mavs. There was support from Kyrie Irving (29, 11/18 FG, 5/8 3P), who was able to play against Phoenix for the first time this season. PJ Washington (12, 6 rebounds) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (12, 1/9 3P) also scored in double figures off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks make a big run after the break
The start wasn’t the best for the Mavs, as Devin Booker scored 12 of his 35 points (13/21, 8 assists) in the first quarter. In the middle of the following period, the guests’ lead increased to +11, but Then Doncic initiated the turnaround with a few plays. Before your eyes the new owner Miriam Adelson (and also Dirk Nowitzki), who was present in Dallas for the first time, reduced the Mavs to -3 by halftime and then really got going.
The hosts converted five three-pointers within three minutes, three of which went to Doncic, while the Suns remained without points. It was a 33:9 run by the Mavs across the quarter that set the course for victory. Kevin Durant (23, 9/22) in particular was hardly a factor; with Washington, Maxi Kleber (7, 3/7, 2 rebounds in 26 minutes) and Derrick Jones Jr. (4), the Mavs had three defenders who could at least make it uncomfortable for KD.
There were also 21 transition points and 18 second chance points for Dallas, with starters Dereck Lively II (5, 4 rebounds) and Daniel Gafford (4, 5 rebounds) standing out. In the fourth quarter, Coach Kidd relied primarily on Kleber at the five because the Suns were trying to get back into the game with Durant at the five. It didn’t work because Doncic caught fire again and successfully fended off a possible comeback.
With the win, the Mavs secured the important tiebreaker against the Suns (2-1), it was the last meeting between the two teams. This also has consequences for the standings, as both teams now have the same record, but Dallas still overtakes the Suns and is now back in sixth place in the Western Conference.
NBA – Mavericks vs. Suns: Die Stats-Leader
2024-02-23 04:57:00
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