10:00 PM EST, TNT – Line: Suns -5.5, Over/Under: 213.0
The playoffs march on into the second round as the top-seeded Phoenix Suns, fresh off surviving their first-round encounter, play host to the Dallas Mavericks, in Game One of their Western Conference Semifinal from Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. At first glance, the Mavericks’ (52-30, 4th in Western Conference) ousting of the Jazz in the first round could be viewed as simply a higher-seeded side taking care of business, but there was much more to it than that. Much more, indeed. Entering the postseason on a 9-2 tear, Dallas was dealt some unfortunate news in the form of (All-NBA Guard) Luka Doncic (28.4 PTS, 45.7% FG, 35.3% 3FG, 74.4%, 9.1 REB, 8.7 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.6 BLK, 25.1 PER) being diagnosed with a calf strain muscle, which would go on to sideline him for the first three games of the series. Needless to say, this was a MAJOR turn of events, for the Mavs were forced to perform without the prolific 23-year-old, who led them in a wealth of categories, including points (28.4), minutes played (35.4), three-pointers (201), free-throws (364), rebounds (9.1), assists (8.7), and PER (25.1). While the sky appeared to be falling in North Texas, these games aren’t played on paper, and to the surprise of many, (Head Coach) Jason Kidd’s troops remained VERY formidable without their young floor general, winning two of their first three games of the series. Without Doncic, the Mavericks averaged 109.7 points on 45.0% shooting from the field, including 40.5% from beyond the arc, while dishing out 21.0 assists in comparison to committing a scant 6.0 turnovers. A major component of their success in these three contests was (emerging Guard) Jalen Brunson (16.3 PTS, 50.2% FG, 37.3% 3FG, 84.0% FT, 3.9 REB, 4.8 AST, 0.8 STL, 17.1 PER), who erupted for 32.0 points on 50.7% shooting and 41.2% from downtown, along with 5.3 rebounds and assists apiece, including a playoff career high FORTY-ONE points in Game Two’s 110-104 victory at American Airlines Center. An Unrestricted Free Agent this summer, the 25-year-old is in line for a lucrative new contract, be it from Dallas or another franchise, for his growth under Kidd’s watch has been undeniable. And speaking of Kidd, it’s a testament to the 49-year-old and his coaching staff that the Mavs managed to perform as consistently without Doncic as they have with the Slovenian international. Dallas has played at the league slowest pace (95.4 possessions per 48 minutes), which has seriously helped them clamp down on the defensive end of the hardwood, where they’ve allowed the second-fewest points (104.7), the fewest three-pointers (10.9), and the seventh-fewest free-throws (15.8). Furthermore, this approach has proven far better suited to the strengths of Doncic, who can really control the tempo of the game; they’re frustratingly difficult to turn over, committing an average of 12.5 turnovers per game (3rd Overall), parlaying to a percentage of 11.7% (8th Overall). And when everything slows down in the playoffs (as it so often does), this style of play is very conducive to success, even without Doncic. And what happened once the three-time All-Star returned to the hardwood, you ask? The Mavs took care of business, with Luka playing no small role in the matter; after narrowly meeting defeat in Game Four (99-100) in Salt Lake City, they returned home to embarrass the Jazz in a 102-77 rout in Game Five, before closing their opponent out in a tightly-contested Game Six (98-96). Trailing 53-41 at halftime, the visitors turned the tables after intermission with a 36-19 showing in the third quarter, where they shot a blistering 13-of-20 from the field (65.0%), including 8-of-12 from three (66.7%), with ten rebounds opposed to a pair of turnovers. Though Utah would rally back to tie the affair on several occasions during the fourth stanza, the Mavericks wouldn’t trail again, as Brunson hit a clutch three-pointer with just over two minutes to play to break a 94-94 deadlock, before knocking down a pair of huge free-throws after an inexplicable traveling violation with four seconds remaining to give his team a two-point lead. After the ensuing timeout, the hosts missed the would-be game-winner from the perimeter, ensuring Dallas’ passage to the second round of the postseason for the first time since winning their lone NBA Championship back in 2011. When it was all said and done, Kidd’s charges shot 45.0% from the floor, including 17-of-43 from deep (39.5%), where they owned a decisive 24-point advantage, while handing out twenty-two assists in comparison to just six turnovers. Doncic and Brunson totaled twenty-four points apiece, with the former overcoming a poor shooting night (8-of-21) to amass nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks. (Veteran Guard) Spencer Dinwiddie (15.8 PTS, 49.8% FG, 40.4% 3FG, 72.5% FT, 3.1 REB, 3.9 AST, 0.7 STL, 19.0 PER), who has been revitalized since arriving via midseason trade with Washington, once again provided a spark off the bench with nineteen points on 7-of-12 shooing (58.3%) and 4-of-7 on triples (57.1%). And that is where Dallas absolutely KILLED Utah over the course of the series; in what is commonly referred to as a make-or-miss league, the Mavs were a torrid 37.1% from long-range, while the Jazz were a miserable 27.4%, outscoring them by a whopping 132 points over those six games, which translates to 22.0 points per contest. Basically, Kidd & Co took one of their opponent’s primary strengths, and made it a debilitating weakness, which is exactly how advance in the playoffs. Now comes Phoenix, whom Dallas lost three meetings with this season, including their most recent encounter, a 109-101 loss back in late January at American Airlines Center. This should be an interesting matchup on multiple levels, for both teams employ a methodical, efficient approach on the offensive end, preferring to operate in the halfcourt with LOADS of pick and roll action. In those three matchups, the Mavs shot just 42.0% from the field, including 35.3% from beyond the arc, with 24.0 assists opposed to committing 13.0 turnovers. Doncic only participated in one of them, posting twenty-eight points on 9-of-23 shooting (39.1%) and 2-of-9 from three (22.2%), with eight rebounds and assists apiece.
Meanwhile, the Suns (56-18, 1st in Western Conference) are indeed relieved to reach the second round of the playoffs, for they dodged a MAJOR bullet in the first round as the upstart Pelicans gave them everything they could handle. Indeed, it was the biggest mismatch of this postseason, or at least it was on paper, as Phoenix led the NBA with a franchise-best FIFTY-SIX wins, while New Orleans were the only team to advance to that stage with a losing record (36-46), needing to win TWO games in the play-in tournament. That’s TWENTY games separating these two teams, folks, but you wouldn’t know by watching how this series unfolded; after a lopsided first half in Game (53-34), (Head Coach) Monty Williams’ troops were actually outscored over the rest of the series, 625-615. Of course, they suffered a VERY significant loss along the way, as (All-Star Swingman) Devin Booker (26.8 PTS, 46.6% FG, 38.3% 3FG, 86.8% FT, 5.0 REB, 4.8 AST, 1.1 STL, 21.3 PER) suffered a strain to his right hamstring shortly before halftime of Game Two after erupting for thirty-one points in the first half of that eventual 125-114 defeat. Following the game, Williams stated the 25-year-old would miss up to 2-3 weeks of action, with his absence leaving a profound effect on the reigning Western Conference Champions. Between Games Three and Five, the Suns have REALLY been up against it, besting the Pelicans by a narrow margin of 1.0 points per game, and despite shooting a stellar 50.4% from the field, are struggling mightily from the perimeter (26.3%), while getting hammered on the glass (-8.7) and at the charity stripe (-12.0). However, as we’ve stated already, this is a team that is no stranger to adversity and has thus exhibited their resilience on more than one occasion; Booker missed seven games back in early December with a left hamstring strain, while (All-NBA Guard) Chris Paul (14.7 PTS, 49.3% FG, 31.7% 3FG, 83.7% FT, 4.4 REB, 10.8 AST, 1.9 STL, 20.8 PER) was sidelined for fifteen consecutive games after the All-Star Break rehabbing from a broken right thumb, with the Suns posting a 16-6 record without them. And Phoenix would need to draw upon every bit of that resilience and experience to eliminate New Orleans, putting on a clinic in Game Five (112-97), before heading back to the Big Easy to close out the hosts in a hard-fought 115-109 affair. Squared away at 28-28 after the first quarter, the Pelicans rolled into halftime with a 58-48 advantage, but the reigning Western Conference Champions were undeterred, instructing their young foes in the art of closing, which they did with aplomb over the final twenty-four minutes of play. Willams’ charges outscored the home side 67-51 after intermission, shooting a ridiculous 70.0% from the field, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc (44.4%), while cleaning up the glass (18-14), and forcing nearly as many turnovers (11) as assists permitted (12). And who led the way, you ask? None other than Paul, who poured in twenty-three of his thirty-three points on a perfect 10-of-10 shooting (100.0%), with four rebounds and six assists. Booker, who made his return after spending the previous three and a half games in street clothes, overcame a slow start to drop eleven of his thirteen points in the second half, while (young Center) Deandre Ayton (17.2 PTS, 63.4% FG, 36.8% 3FG, 74.6% FT, 10.2 REB, 1.4 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.7 BLK, 21.9 PER) added ten points, five rebounds, and four assists over the final two periods. Though they were outscored mightily in the paint (-20) and in transition (-13), the visitors turned seventeen turnovers into twenty-five points, which ultimately proved to be the most decisive statistic. Going back to Paul for a moment, the 36-year-old was 14-of-14 from the floor (100.0%), while adding five rebounds, eight assists, and a steal against the franchise that drafted him all the way back in 2005. Despite looking his age at various points of this matchup, the 12-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA selection was the driving force behind the Suns’ advancement to the next round, averaging 22.3 points on an efficient 56.7% shooting, with 4.3 rebounds, 11.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in the series. While the only thing missing from his CV is a Larry O’Brien trophy, it can’t be overstated the impact that he’s had on the many franchises that he’s played for. Consider this: of those five different clubs he’s competed for, he’s led four of them to franchise-bests in victories and has clearly served as the catalyst to this renaissance in the desert. The Suns improved by SEVENTEEN games after his arrival last season, ending a decade of mediocrity in the process. Furthermore, his influence has sparked a wealth of internal growth throughout the team, with Booker blossoming into a full-blown star, and the likes of Ayton, (versatile swingman) Mikal Bridges (14.2 PTS, 53.4% FG, 36.9% 3FG, 83.4% FT, 4.2 REB, 2.3 AST, 1.2 STL, 14.4 PER), and (young sharpshooter) Cameron Johnson (12.5 PTS, 46.0% FG, 42.5% 3FG, 86.0% FT, 4.1 REB, 1.5 AST, 0.9 STL, 15.2 PER) to name a few that have seen their stock rise considerably. With Dallas up next, one would have to like Phoenix’s chances of advancing once more, particularly after sweeping the Mavs in three meetings during the regular season; Paul was vintage CP3 in those contests, with 15.0 points and 13.0 assists, though the two players to watch in the affair are Booker and Bridges. Obviously, Booker’s health is going to be a major talking point moving forward, with that tender hamstring capable of effecting his game on both ends of the court. As for Bridges, he’ll in all likelihood be defending the aforementioned Doncic throughout this series, with his length and athleticism providing Williams with his best bet in slowing down the versatile Slovenian. One of only two players to participate in EVERY game during the regular season, the 25-year-old started to develop into an offensive force towards the end of the previous series, exploding for a postseason career-high THIRTY-ONE points in Game Five.