Dallas Mavericks bounce back, trim Phoenix Suns' lead to 2-1, but know they 'can't be satisfied'

DALLAS — Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic felt that he let his teammates down with what he accurately described as a «horrible» defensive effort during the second half of a Game 2 loss to the Phoenix Suns. His backcourt partner Jalen Brunson needed only one word to sum up his performance in the 0-2 trip to Phoenix: «Terrible.»

They both arrived at the American Airlines Center on Friday night determined to make sure that Game 3 was different. The duo succeeded, spoiling Suns star Chris Paul's 37th birthday and leading Dallas to a 103-94 win to give the Mavs their first win of the Western Conference semifinals.

Brunson scored a game-high 28 points — six more than he had combined in the first two games of the series — and kept the Mavs comfortably ahead while Doncic sat much of the second half in foul trouble. Doncic finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and two steals.

«Everybody joined the party,» Dallas coach Jason Kidd said, playing off his comment after Game 1 when Doncic didn't get much support. «They helped out on both ends. Luka was great defensively. He participated, too. It puts us in a different position when that happens.»

The Mavs' guards significantly outplayed the Suns' All-Star backcourt of Paul and Devin Booker, who combined for more turnovers (seven) than made field goals (11). The dozen turnovers were their most in any game during their two seasons as teammates, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

It was a stark contrast to the Suns guards' dominance during the opening two games of the series in Phoenix.

«It wasn't like us,» said Booker, who had 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting. «You can credit them. They came out and played hard, played desperate. But that's that. We got a series.»

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