GAME 2: PHOENIX SUNS (2-1) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (1-2)
Time: 2:30 p.m., Sunday.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas.
TV: ABC (Ch. 8).
Radio: The Eagle 97.1 FM; Univision Zona MX 99.1 FM (Spanish)
Format: Best-of-Seven.
About the Suns: They remain defiant. Just listen to Chris Paul: “They came out and did what they were supposed to do,” he said. “We’ll be back on Sunday.” No doubt, but even though the Suns were 64-18 in the regular season, they did lose back-to-back games on four occasions . . . The Suns had shot 50 percent or better in all eight of their playoff games until Friday, when they were limited to 44.7 percent shooting. It also was the first time in the playoffs they’ve failed to score 100 points. In fact, their 94 points was their lowest total of 2021-22, regular season or playoffs. “They came out and played hard, played desperate,” said Devin Booker. “We got a series.” . . . Booker was limited to 13 shots and 18 points in Game 3 after getting at least 19 shots in each of the first two games and averaging 26.5 points . . . The Suns’ bench wilted in Game 3 as neither Cam Payne nor Cam Johnson could get going. They combined to shoot 1-of-8 from the field and score six points. JaVale McGee was the Suns’ best reserve with eight points and seven assists in 14 minutes . . . Jae Crowder has been one of the Suns most consistent overall players, averaging 15 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists through the first three games . . . After pretty much dominating the first two games, the Suns led for only 5 minutes, 20 seconds in Game 3 and never had the lead in the second half.
About the Mavericks: Their defense joined the series in Game 3 as Phoenix got just 76 shots and the Mavericks forced 17 turnovers. They picked up Chris Paul full court, with Reggie Bullock drawing that difficult assignment. He was the defensive hero and, as Suns’ coach Monty Williams said of Game 3: “They guarded us full court. They put pressure on us. They fought for real estate. Just inbounding the ball was tough for us from the side.” . . . The Mavericks got great production from a lot of players, including Jalen Brunson, who scored 28 points, or six more than he had in Games 1 and 2 combined . . . The next to step up could be Spencer Dinwiddie, who had just four points in Game 3 and might be ready to have a Brunson-like step-up game on Sunday . . . Frank Ntilikina got his first significant action of the playoffs with 12 minutes in Game 3. His stat line would not do his time on the court justice. He had just a steal and two fouls. But he was part of the defensive group that kept the Mavericks afloat while Luka was in foul trouble . . . How important is the fourth game of the series? Teams that are up 3-1 in a best-of-seven series advance to the next round 95.1 percent of the time while series that are tied 2-2 essentially are too close to call . . . Luka Dončić has been fantastic through the first three games despite getting major attention from the Suns defensively. He has averaged 35.3 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists . . . Interestingly, the Mavericks are 1½-point underdogs in Game 4 on their home court.
Twitter: @ESefko
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