The Western Conference semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns has now become a best-of-three series after the host Mavs took care of the top seed 111-101 on Sunday. Luka Doncic had a team-high 26 points in the win, but struggled from the field (9-of-25, 1-of-10 on three-pointers), but he added 11 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in the balanced effort.
Dorian Finney-Smith erupted for 24 points — going 8-of-12 from distance — to help the cause, and contributed a team-high eight rebounds as well. In the defeat, Devin Booker poured in a game-best 35 points, but was missing his backcourt mate in Chris Paul for stretches of the second half, as the future Hall of Famer dealt with foul trouble all day.
Paul ended up finishing with only five points on four field-goal attempts and fouled out early in the fourth quarter.
Devin Booker in the loss:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 8, 2022
35 PTS
7 AST
3-6 3P
Book was missing his PG who only played 23 minutes. pic.twitter.com/yfqkf75ojx
DFS today:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 8, 2022
24 PTS
8 REB
8-12 3P (career high)
That’s the 2nd most 3PM in Mavs playoff history, trailing only Jason Terry (9). pic.twitter.com/gDT9zYQVZu
The series now shifts to Phoenix for Game 5, which is set for 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
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