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The Phoenix Suns are letting the ball fly and scoring with ease, leading 63-50 over the Dallas Mavericks and are one half away from extending their winning streak to seven consecutive games.
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Here is what the Suns need to take down the Mavericks:
Keep shooting
Overwhelming the Mavericks, Phoenix shot 13-for-21 (61.9%) from the floor and 8-for-13 (61.5%) from three. Tyus Jones, Jusuf Nurkić and Royce O’Neale all started the game 2-for-2 from deep, not hesitating when their teammates distributed the ball to them. There were seven players with at least six points or more.
Phoenix needs to keep pouring it on and not letting up because Dallas has the players who can score at will if given the chance. Seeing multiple contributors up and down the lineup, no matter who Mike Budenholzer is going to, they are being effective and efficient.
Halt Irving, Doncic
While Klay Thompson could turn into vintage Klay Thompson from his Golden State days, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are the two main culprits who are most likely going to dominate for the Mavericks. Between Irving’s playmaking ability and Doncic shooting from practically anywhere, the one-two combo can turn the game on its head and win by itself.
Doncic has scored 16 and Iriving is at 10 thus far, the two leaders for Dallas at halftime. Thompson can break out, but minimizing Doncic and Irving will go a long way in Phoenix maintaining the lead.
Bench continues contributing
O’Neale (11) and Josh Okogie (six) combined for 17 points and provided Budenholzer with even more options at his disposal. Going a perfect 3-for-3 from three, O’Neale has established himself as the most dependable bench option the Suns have on the roster. Okogie, who is getting back into the groove of things after missing the preseason, is showing what he can do that will help Phoenix on both ends of the court.
Getting Grayson Allen to develop a rhythm would be yet another threat, especially from beyond the arch. Mason Plumlee is not known for his offense but for his defense, so he could contribute on the opposite side of the ball and guard a tall force like Daniel Gafford.
Dominate the paint
The Suns are outrebounding the Mavericks 21-16 and both teams are tied 22-22 in paint points, showing that the battle on the inside is for the taking. Nurkic and Doncic are both already at five rebounds each. Phoenix has to box out Doncic from claiming rebounds because he is always fighting for the ball and will do anything to get a board.
Nurkic will be at the forefront of protecting the paint as he had 18 rebounds and two blocks against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, but it will take the whole Suns squad to pitch in in that department.
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