Luka Doncic, Mavericks beat foul-plagued Chris Paul, Suns to even series

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Luka Doncic tumbled toward the baseline after getting bumped by Chris Paul just before the halftime buzzer, the apprentice showing he has watched one of the masters at drawing fouls.

The trick spurred a critical fourth foul on Paul, setting up the Dallas Mavericks to get even in the Western Conference semifinals.

Doncic scored 26 points while helping Dallas take advantage of foul trouble for Paul to beat the Phoenix Suns 111-101 on Sunday for a 2-2 series tie.

"I saw he was going for the rebound and I was surprised," Doncic said. "He said to me, ‘Did I push you that hard?’ I said, ‘No, not that hard. But it was a smart play.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I know.’"

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne defends as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) takes a shot in the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Sunday, May 8, 2022, in Dallas.  (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Paul ended up being out of Game 4 early in the fourth quarter, the period when he often dominated the Mavericks during an 11-game winning streak that ended with consecutive home victories for Dallas. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

Dorian Finney-Smith scored a playoff career-high 24 points on the most 3-pointers he's had, regular season or playoffs. He was 8 of 12 from deep, including consecutive 3s for a 14-point lead midway through the fourth.

Dallas matched its 20 3s (20 of 44) from a Mother's Day rout of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011, a win that completed a four-game sweep in the second round on the way to the championship. The Mavericks are playing beyond the first round for the first time since