Home Basketball ‘Kyrie Irving makes a challenging layup. 🤯’ – Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving propel the Mavericks to victory over the Suns, clinching the series tiebreaker

‘Kyrie Irving makes a challenging layup. 🤯’ – Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving propel the Mavericks to victory over the Suns, clinching the series tiebreaker

Basketball — 02/23/2024

The Dallas Mavericks (33-23) and Phoenix Suns (33-23) faced battle in a highly anticipated rematch from the NBA All-Star break, broadcast nationwide on TNT. The Mavericks won 123-113, with Luka Doncic scoring 41 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds to set the tone, and Kyrie Irving contributing 29 points, five rebounds, and three assists.Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks 

Devin Booker had a tremendous performance for the Suns, scoring 35 points, assisting eight times, and grabbing five rebounds. Kevin Durant had 23 points and five rebounds, but he committed five turnovers and shot 9-23 from the field, 2-8 from beyond the arc, and 3-5 on free throws. Eric Gordon (16 points) and Royce O’Neale (10 points) both contributed to Phoenix’s scoring.

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Dereck Lively II was re-inserted into the starting lineup after coming off the bench during his injury recovery prior to the NBA All-Star break. P.J. Washington, Doncic, Irving, and Josh Green stayed in the first group. Bradley Beal was ruled out for the Suns after being assessed as questionable due to left hamstring strain.

The Suns had a strong advantage early on, leading 8-0 and then 13-5 to start the game. The Mavericks continued to play from behind, behind by double figures (29-19) with 3:12 left in the first quarter. Dallas struggled early on, with Phoenix employing a wing like as Kevin Durant on Lively and Jusuf Nurkic on

Irving heated up at the end of the first quarter, scoring eight straight points, including a pair of transition pull-up 3-pointers. Dallas eventually went on a 13-2 run during this stretch, but the Suns ended the first period with a 33-32 lead.

May be an image of 13 people, people playing basketball, crowd and text that says "MANS NL NBALATEST LATES"Durant led the Suns early in the second quarter, despite facing Mavs double teams and strong assistance rotations on his drives. Midway in the period, the Suns led 49-41 and called a timeout. Phoenix maintained its momentum, building a double-digit lead (54-43) after Eric Gordon scored a 3-pointer.

The Mavs finished the half by outscoring the Suns 17-9, trailing 63-60 at the halftime. Doncic put matters into his own hands, scoring 12 of Dallas’ final 19 points in the second quarter. Before halftime, Doncic had 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists, with Irving contributing 17 points and two assists.


Doncic made two 3-pointers and then found Washington on a pick-and-roll to put the Mavs up 69-63 with 10:22 left in the third quarter. Dallas punished the Suns for attempting to guard Washington with Jusuf Nurkic by forcing him into screening moves, which Doncic initiated. It was a reversal of how Dallas had failed to score on a stretch of possessions in precisely identical situations earlier in the game.

 

The Mavericks continued to pour it on the Suns from beyond the arc, with Doncic and Josh Green both connecting. Dallas was leading 75-63 with 9:17 left in the third quarter. Doncic has already scored his 30th point as a result.

The Suns came back, down only 81-80 at one point. As the Mavs’ only superstar on the court, Irving was relentless in his pursuit of offensive opportunities. He helped Dallas maintain its lead during this time, including an isolation possession that resulted in a foul call against his former teammate Durant, which led to a successful trip to the free throw line. Dallas led 93-85 when Doncic returned to the game.

Doncic was slapped for a technical foul late in the third quarter after he became agitated with a succession of no calls. The Suns cut Dallas’ advantage in the final quarter, but the Mavs outscored Phoenix 36-28, leading 96-91 at the start of the fourth.

Irving led a fast break that ended in a dazzling layup with a spin move, leading the Suns to take a timeout. As a result, the Mavericks reclaimed a double-digit lead against the Suns, 104-93, with 9:35 left in regulation. Throughout the quarter, Dallas maintained a 10-point lead or higher.

The Suns went ultra-small to end the game, with Durant playing small ball five. The Mavs started Daniel Gafford but replaced him with Maxi Kleber after a timeout to seal the win. Dallas finished strong, with Doncic nailing a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to put the team ahead 15 points with about a minute and a half remaining. Dallas had already secured the victory at that point.

On Sunday, the Mavericks will embark on a four-game road trip, beginning with a game against the Indiana Pacers.