Western Conference | Round 2 | (1) Phoenix Suns vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks (2-2)

[JoeyLightYears]

Dallas have been the hottest team in NBA since the All star break along with Celtics so that's not so much of a surprise.

I was always thinking they would cool off, that hasn't happened.

Cause they've become a seriously good defensive team.
Under Carlisle, I would have thought the same as you as their few hot streaks were mostly dued to offensive power and not much else while their hot streak under Kidd has been mainly based on defense

Kidd has done a nice job with the defense, I must admit. Although he's still a scumbag who beats his wife. Both things can be true.

[GeorgeSears]

CP3 has to be smarter and Ayton has to be a lot more impactful.

[pj0tr]

Luka baited CP3 early, and got in the refs ears after falling when he hit Ayton in the 1st Q.

And CP3 fell for it.

Luka got into CP3's head.

[Forbes]

Hope ya'll are ready for game 5. Mavs X-factor about to be unleashed...

It's a genuinely interesting question as to whether the league busts him out for game 5 or game 6. Obviously game 7 would be too controversial.

My problem is he hates the Mavs and he hates Chris Paul. I wonder which the is more powerful. I would heavily enjoy if he doesn’t touch this series cause in my mind my team is losing.

[CobraCommander]

I'm just saying, other players played great, don't need to be salty.

I think the mavs better when Luka has energy to play in the 4th vs going all out for the first half and not being able to help on defense or offense in 4th.


Good win by the refs and the mavs...


But the league needs to really decide about the refs etc

League knows Lebron is out. Refs gonna be putting heavy focus on the 4 future stars of the league. Morant is injured so his series is probably over. But Luka, Tatum and Giannis are gonna always have advantages in my opinion. Unfortunately Tatum and Giannis are going against each other so you won’t see a clear advantage.

Forbes saying Forbes financial type things lol....


Booker had a great game today but honestly if Luka can close you out with a lead...it’s over...

[Archx]

But Luka has no help I heard. He's out there 1 on 5 I heard

Bitter haters 2 games ago Luka ball was impossible to be successful with and he was holding his teammates back.

His role players stepped up today, Phoenix still has way more talent on the roster, both things can be true

Don't you know it's always Luka's fault?

When the teammates are playing bad it's Luka's fault for not involving them and when the teammates are playing great, Luka isn't that good anyway because his teammates are great.

Hate makes you blind.

Lmao spot on

[TrueFan420]

Suns are pretenders. Playing the worst team left in the playoffs and making a meal of it. Can’t believe it’s 2-2

[tria]

I read somewhere that Paul lost every series in which his team was leading 2:0, that true?

EDIT: false.

[JoeyLightYears]

Luka baited CP3 early, and got in the refs ears after falling when he hit Ayton in the 1st Q.

And CP3 fell for it.

Luka got into CP3's head.

The last two were really bad calls that had nothing to do with Luka though.

But honestly even if this game were fairly called Mavs prob win. They were hitting volume threes at an absurd percentage and even though their D wasn't that great it's just too hard to overcome a 33 point 3-point differential.

[JoeyLightYears]

I read somewhere that Paul lost every series in which his team was leading 2:0, that true?

What, no of course not. They just swept the Nuggets last year for one.

[enigmatics]

CP3 has to be smarter and Ayton has to be a lot more impactful.

It's 4 years in. This is who Ayton IS. It's never gonna change. Relying on him to be CONSISTENTLY impactful is like waiting on snow in the city of Phoenix.

[G R E Y]

Hmm not sure how to gauge this game.

On the one hand, Mavs are tops in the POs in 3s attempts and 5th in efficiency. And the Suns were below their PO numbers in 3s attempts and efficiency.

On the other, Mavs poured in 20 3s and it was only a 10-point win with several Suns - including four of five starters - in foul trouble and CP3 fouling out.

Ayton was rendered too quiet. He has to be more physical. Six O boards - game high - was good, but I sort of didn't notice him in terms of impactful assertive plays. Whether that's the CP3 effect or coaches calling plays for him more, he needs to be seen by opponents more. It's a broad, messy stat that always needs context, but second highest -15 in the game.

[CobraCommander]

Alright game over, good job refs

[pj0tr]

Luka baited CP3 early, and got in the refs ears after falling when he hit Ayton in the 1st Q.

And CP3 fell for it.

Luka got into CP3's head.

The last two were really bad calls that had nothing to do with Luka though.

But honestly even if this game were fairly called Mavs prob win. They were hitting volume threes at an absurd percentage and even though their D wasn't that great it's just too hard to overcome a 33 point 3-point differential.

The Suns cut it to 4 in the 3rd Q, and 6 in the 4th, when CP3 fouled out. The fact that the Mavs outshot them by 33 from the 3, and the game was as close at it was, even with CP3 in foul trouble, was pretty hilarious.

[grumpysaddle]

I read somewhere that Paul lost every series in which his team was leading 2:0, that true?

Suns swept the Nuggets just last year, so no.

[Dirk]

If anyone wants free money bet the suns -2.5 today

[CobraCommander]

Man I feel bad for Suns fans...going home even is gonna put all the pressure on Suns....gonna suck if they get the doc rivers

[JoeyLightYears]

The opening line in the next game is gonna be like Suns -10 but if Foster is announced you'll see it drop to even in a hurry!

[Bob8]

I wonder where are all those Suns fans, who were talking about Suns next opponents after game 1?

[Big J]

Luka is a stone cold killer. Suns didn't want any smoke from that boy.