Doncic knocked out the top Phoenix Suns with 45 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the first game of the series, but the Mavs fell behind in the Western Conference semifinals with a 121-114 defeat at the Footprint Center. The Suns rarely sent an extra defender to Doncic to try to squeeze the ball out of his hands. He did a lot of damage – making 15 of 30 shots from the floor, including eight layoffs and two dunk – but Phoenix prevented the other Mavs playmakers from getting on track. The rest of the Mavs’ starting line-up combined for just 39 points, the second time in 17 games in the playoffs of Doncic’s career that he scored more points than the other four players in the Dallas starting lineup. “He got what he wanted when you looked at the color shots, behind the bow, in the midfield, and then I also thought he had some great performances with his teammates that we usually did,” said Dallas coach Jason Kidd. “I thought he was playing great. “We just have to get someone to join the party.”
1 Relevant Mavs guard Jalen Brunson, who starred in the Utah Jazz first-round first-round win, had a 16-point off-night 6-on-16. Sixth player Spencer Dinwiddie, the other player Dallas relies on as an attacking creator, was held to eight points in a 3-on-8 shot. “Whenever a man is 45, you look at that number and you do not like it, but I look at the numbers of his assists,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “They only had 16. So, [Maxi] “Kleber hit a few 3-pointers, but for the most part, no one else went the way he could.” The Suns were content to defend Doncic straight, usually playing drop cover in pick-and-roll when Dwight Powell was on the floor and changing screens from Kleber, who was the Mavs’ top scorer with 19 points. Shooting 6 of 9. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Doncic had 14 points in 4 of 6 shots with Bridges as the main defender. All 30 attempts by Doncic, who had a score of 4 to 11 out of 3 points, were out of dribble. “We just have to attack with more color,” said Doncic, whose 33.4-point career average averages that of Michael Jordan, the highest in NBA history. “I agreed with a little too much step back for me. Paint attack is our deadly weapon. When we do that, we can score easily, especially with 5-outs and they have a lot of spin. We have to attack more paint.” Doncic, however, was much more concerned with Dallas’ defensive performance, especially in the first half. The Suns shot 63.6% from the floor and 50% from the range of 3 points, while they had a lead of 13 points at halftime. Phoenix defensively attacked Doncic early and often. According to ESPN Stats & Info tracking, the Suns scored 24 points in 10-of-18 shots when Doncic was the main defender. “I think our defense lost our game today,” Doncic said. “Our start at the defensive end was terrible, and we have to change that. I know we can play a much better defense.”
