Suns starters shine against Mavericks; Heat get a win against Joel Embiid-less Sixers

By Issy Ronald, CNN

Updated 1033 GMT (1833 HKT) May 3, 2022

Deandre Ayton scored 25 points for the Suns, as all five starters finished in double-figures.

(CNN)The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat secured wins in Game 1 of their respective second round playoff series: Miami defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 106-92 while the Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 121-114.

Dallas star Luka Doncic's outstanding game — 45 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists — was not enough for the Mavs to overcome a cohesive Suns team, which had six players finish in double figures.«We've just got to get someone to join the party,» Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told ESPN.Doncic scored more points than the rest of the Mavs' starters who managed just 39 points between them. Despite his individual performance, Phoenix led wire to wire, living up to their billing as series favorites. Deandre Ayton scored 25 points and Devin Booker marked his return to the squad after three games sidelined by injury with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.Read MoreDoncic's career postseason scoring average of 33.4 points now matches Michael Jordan's average for the highest in NBA playoff history.The Suns had a fast start to the game, bulldozing their way to a 18-6 lead midway through the first quarter before the efforts of Doncic and forward Maxi Kleber, who scored 19 points, dragged the Mavs back to within four at the halfway mark. «I think our defense lost us the game today,» Doncic said. «Our start on the defensive end was terrible, and we've got to change that. I know we can play way better defense.»Phoenix found another gear after the break and stretched their lead to 21 points early in the fourth quarter before a late flurry from the Mavs made the scoreline more