Subscribe
Follow Us
In the first two games of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Dallas Mavericks could not sustain their performance for 48 minutes in both contests as the Phoenix Suns would pull away and clinch a 2-0 series lead against the Mavs. Moving into American Airlines Arena for Game 3, it seemed like a very rejuvenated and different Dallas squad in this game as Luka Doncic and the Mavericks came out victorious in Game 3.
Other fans and media personnel were predicting an easy four or five games for Phoenix as they begin preparing for their next opponent in the West Finals. That was far from the scenario in Game 3 as the Mavericks ratcheted their defensive intensity and limited Phoenix to less than 100 points for the first time in this series. Heading into Game 4, these are three reasons for Dallas to build on and possibly get the upper hand in this matchup.
Mavs On The Come Up
Defense is better than common perception
Over the past seasons the Mavs were known just as an offensive machine. Coach Jason Kidd has changed that culture this season as everyone on the roster is more motivated to excel defensively. Ginv up 121 and 129 points in Game 1 and Game 2 was a dreadful number for the Mavericks, but that plummeted all the way down to 94 in Game 3.
Chris Paul and Devin Booker never found their rhythm all throughout the contest as they both combined for an atrocious 12 turnovers in Game 3. Their impact was stifled by the raucous Dallas crowd as the turnovers even affected them to tally an abysmal 12 and 18 markers, respectively. For a team that has thrived through efficiency and manufacturing easy shots, limiting them to less than 50% shooting from the field in Game 3 is an incredible number to build on for Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
Luka Doncic will continue receving the necessary support
Article Continues Below
It is such a cliche for anyone to say Doncic needs his teammates to elevate their numbers, but the change in Game 3 proved the massive importance of his teammates. Among the three games, this was the lowest output of Doncic, but Jalen Brunson, Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber, and Dorian Finney-Smith all chipped in with double-digit points.
Brunson was the missing link in the first two tilts as foul trouble and hesitation were two major reasons for his dreadful performance. That was not the case in Game 3 as Brunson was the leading scorer with 29 points on 10/21 shooting from the field. Without Tim Hardaway Jr. Bullock and Spencer Dinwiddie will definitely have other games wherein they can explode and cause some problems for a heavily-favored Phoenix squad.
Mavs will continue having the advantage in the paint
In the previous series against the Utah Jazz, Dallas would pounce on the subpar perimeter defense of the Jazz and space the floor tremendously. It led to a plethora of open looks that could easily be the primary reason for them to win each game, but against the Suns, they may need to adjust their priorities. Winning Game 3 was due to their plus 18 in points in the pain in Game 3.
Phoenix has been stellar with their defensive schemes all throughout the season, so the Mavericks adjusted their approach and won that battle in the paint. Even without a legitimate big man in their rotation, it is the continuous slashes and attacks on the rim that provides constant pressure on the bigs like Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee. For the Mavericks to cause a huge upset, they must continue having that long range bomb as a threat, but it is their unheralded paint scoring that could be the differentiating factor.
The entertainment and intriguing level was low in Game 1 and Game 2 because the Suns knew when to turn on the switch and stamp their class. Dallas proved that they can compete with the best team in the NBA, and this matchup is turning out to be a competitive and ferocious one. Coach Monty Williams will definitely have his own adjustments for Game 3, but the Mavericks have the momentum heading into Sunday afternoon.
The Mavs must win this crucial Game 4, but if they do indeed complete it, one could argue they could even have the edge in the series. An upset is not far from the horizon, especially for a franchise that has Doncic on their hands.
