Booker’s Big Fourth Quarter Leads Phoenix Past Dallas

Phoenix, AZ- The Phoenix Suns defeated the Dallas Mavericks 121-100 behind 19 fourth quarter points from Devin Booker.

Booker had a a very efficient game scoring 35 points total points on 12-19 shooting from field including 6-10 from behind the three point line.

Phoenix also received big contributions from T.J. Warren who scored 17, Josh Jackson who had 17 points, Trevor Ariza with 21 points and the number one overall pick DeAndre Ayton who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Ayton came out very strong as he scored six of the first nine points for Phoenix and grabbed rebound after rebound on the defensive end.

The offense continued to go through Ayton as he was heavily involved either getting the ball in the mid-post and shooting a face-up jumper, setting strong picks to get others open or running the floor on fast breaks. Ayton’s impact was huge to start the game.

Dallas was able to stay in the game behind the play of Luca Doncic. Doncic was able to maneuvere his way through the Suns’ defense scoring and finding DeAndre Jordan for easy baskets.

Phoenix lead Dallas, 37-24 after the first quarter and were led by Booker who scored nine points in the quarter as Ayton and Trevor Ariza chipped in with eight points each. Dallas was led by Jordan who had 11 points and Doncic who had six points and three assists.

The Mavericks started the second quarter off on a 7-0 run as their second unit moved the ball well and found open shots. Phoenix’s offense didn’t go through Ayton like it did to start the game.

Dallas at one point during the quarter cut the lead to three points but the Suns were able to expand the lead as they got back to running the offense through Ayton and Warren from his hot shooting. Warren was 3-3 from beyond the 3-point arc midway through the second quarter.

Phoenix ended the half on a wonderful note as their defense led to offense. This was a good sign as last season the Suns had one of the worse defenses in the league. Phoenix lead 56-46 at halftime.

Ayton displayed his potential in the first half with 10 points and five rebounds. The other big contributors for the Suns were Ariza with 14 points and Booker with 13 points.

Jordan still the lead the Mavericks with 11 points, all scored in the first quarter.

The Suns came out flying around on both sides of the court to start the third quarter. Phoenix rotated well on defense which forced Dallas to work for their points. On offense, they ran lots of action that involved strong picks which got their shooters Booker and Ariza open for three point shots.

The Suns maintained the lead throughout the third quarter as it ended with Phoenix up, 83-73. The Suns had four players in double figures through three quarters, Ariza, Booker, Warren and Ayton.

The Mavericks were led in scoring by Dennis Smith Jr through three quarters as he had 13 points.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Suns came out more determined to get Ayton involved by creating mismatches-switching guards on the rookie. This caused double-teams which lead to open jumpers for others.

The Mavericks responded by getting up the court quickly and striking from the perimeter while also hitting cutters like Powell for easy lay-ups. Dallas cut Phoenix’s lead to four before Booker took over to lead the Suns to victory.

Dwight Powell lead the Mavericks in scoring with 16 points. Doncic scored 10 points, four assist and eight rebounds in his NBA debut.

 

 

 

Damian Adams

San Diego, California

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