Suns Defeat Mavericks, 100-98

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 100-98, at American Airlines
Center on Saturday. Dallas needed this game much more than Phoenix, but Devin
Booker and the Suns played spoiler late. In fact, Booker scored the final eight
points for Phoenix, as he hit a game-winning jumper at the buzzer to seal the
win. There were 14 ties and 16 lead changes in total, with neither team leading
by more than seven points. Defense was key for the Suns, as they held the
Mavericks to 38 percent shooting, while Phoenix shot 47 percent on their end.
Scoring in the paint was a huge factor as well, with the Suns winning that
battle, 38-20. The Suns (22-44) have now won four of their last six games, as
they continue to disappoint playoff contenders. Booker was the star, as he
scored a game-high 36 points, including that game-winner. He did that damage on
12-of-20 shooting, while also bringing down five rebounds. T.J. Warren finished
second on the team, totaling 16 points and eight rebounds. Eric Bledsoe
accumulated 12 points, two rebounds and six assists. Tyler Ulis and Alan
Williams came off the bench to combine for 18 points, eight rebounds, six
assists, two steals and three blocks. On deck for Phoenix is a home matchup
against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. The Mavericks (28-37) needed this
game to stay within one game of the eight-seed in the west, but they allowed a
22-win Phoenix team to play major spoiler. Dirk Nowitzki did all he could for
Dallas, as he amassed 23 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-14 shooting. Harrison
Barnes shot just 5-of-16 from the field, but matched Nowitzki’s 23 points,
adding seven rebounds to his tally. Devin Harris was the only bench player in
double figures, tallying 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. The
Mavericks will return to action on Monday in a road matchup against the Toronto
Raptors.