PHOENIX – Unable to properly execute in the fourth quarter when they needed to the most, the Dallas Mavericks dropped a 112-104 decision to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night at Footprint Center.

The Mavs were owners of an 84-79 lead after the third quarter, but got outscored, 33-20, in the fourth period. In the fourth quarter the Mavs were only 6-of-21 from the field and 3-of-9 from behind the three-point line, while the Suns were 13-of-20 from the floor and 5-of-7 from downtown.

Point guard Jalen Brunson tried to take the brunt of the Mavs’ fourth-quarter meltdown by saying: “That’s on me. Plain and simple. You guys saw it. That’s on me.

“I just didn’t do a good enough job of putting myself and my teammates in position to be successful, so that’s the real story.”

Here are our takeaways from Friday’s game.

SAME GAME?: If it appeared as though Friday’s Mavs-Suns game looked eerily similar to Wednesday’s Mavs-Suns game, you are not alone. The Mavs held a five-point lead after three quarters of Wednesday’s game, then got outscored by 12 points in the fourth quarter and lost by seven points. On Friday, the Mavs were holding another five-point lead after three quarters, then got outscored by 13 points in the fourth quarter and lost by eight points.

BENCH PLAY: The Suns arguably have the best bench in the entire NBA. And they sure made their presence felt on Friday. In all, the Suns’ reserves scored 43 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, distributed seven assists, and were 17-of-31 from the field and 5-of-10 from beyond the 3-point arc. JaVale McGee led the way with 14 points and six boards, and Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne scored 13 and 10 points, respectively. The Mavs’ bench had 31 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

MAVS HUNG TOUGH: The Mavs proved they can hang with Phoenix – on the Suns’ court — as they did so twice in a three-day span. Winners of 11 straight games, the Suns were expected to run away and hide from the Mavs. Especially since the Mavs were without all-world point guard Luka Doncic (left knee sprain, left ankle sprain) and Maxi Kleber (left oblique strain). It would have been interesting to see how these two games would have played out had Doncic and Kleber been able to play.

PAUL STRIKES AGAIN: Chris Paul took over this game in the fourth quarter. It’s a knack he’s cultivated for the better part of his illustrious 17-year career. From getting to his sweet spot on the right side of the court, Paul was downright lethal down the stretch. In the fourth quarter alone, the 11-tme All-Star scored eight of his 18 points and handed out six of his 14 assists. Paul made it look like Wednesday’s game between the Mavs and Suns when he dispensed seven of his 14 assists in the fourth quarter.

MAVS MISSING LUKA: The thing about not having a superstar like Luka Doncic to take over a game down the stretch – or settle his teammates down – is that not having one of those marquee players puts you at a distinct disadvantage. Yes, basketball is a team sport, and it’s all about the next man up mentality when a player is not available for whatever reasons. But life on the basketball court is so much easier when a Doncic is available to knock down some step-back three-pointers or dagger jump shots.

Twitter: @DwainPrice

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