Winning a game without reaching the 100 point mark, yes, the Mavericks are capable of it. At the end of a match marked by not much awkwardness (43.8% on the Mavs side, 38.6% on the Suns side), the Texans won (89-98). A first victory without Luka Doncic, and despite Kyrie Irving having difficulty shooting and the loss of two major players sent off after the break.
So many negative factors likely, on paper, to benefit the Suns, still deprived of Kevin Booker. Except that the locals did not lead once in this match, where they never managed to find rhythm. And it's an understatement to say it as Mike Budenholzer's squad seemed borrowed to develop its game in transition.
Phoenix, who only scored 6 points on the counterattack (compared to 15 for the Mavericks), seemed to prefer to permanently play their game on the half court. Without much success when the finisher had a name other than Kevin Durant. The latter survived, while Royce O'Neale contributed what he could, to compensate in particular for the small outing of Bradley Beal.
Insufficient, however, to stay in the race against the unabashed Mavs who finished the first period strong to finish with a 16-point lead (39-55). The fight that occurred after the break will have rather favorable effects for the locals, “KD” taking matters in hand. Short-lived effects because Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie then Klay Thompson at the start of the last act (64-75) maintained the gap around ten points.
In the final minutes, Daniel Gafford or Maxi Kleber were forgotten by the opposing defense to drive the point home, without the visitors ever giving the impression of being worried.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The defensive solidity of the Mavericks. Second best defensive performance of their season for the Mavs who, if they could not contain Kevin Durant, “isolated” him as much as possible from his lieutenants. How many times did the connection between Bradley Beal and him, for example, on simple transmissions, not work? Far too much, and it's because the Texans felt their two-handed catches well.
– A triple expulsion. It all started, at the start of the second half, with a play in the physical position of Jusuf Nurkic in front of Daniel Gafford, the latter ending up on the ground while the first received an offensive foul. As he returned to his camp, the Suns pivot turned around, visibly challenged by Naji Marshall. Things exploded when the Suns center put a big hand on the head of the Mavs player, the latter responding with a punch, while PJ Washington pushed the Bosnian to the ground.
– The Suns do not continue. Two wins, three losses, two wins, three losses… At the moment, the Suns are regular in… their irregularity. After their Christmas success against the Nuggets, the men of Arizona had the opportunity to continue against these diminished Mavs. It's a failure, and we wonder what face these Suns will show on the Warriors floor next night.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
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