PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns ran double groups at Luka Doncic and the Dallas star picked them aside to arrange simple baskets.
It was even worse when the Suns left Doncic in one-on-one protection.
Luka Doncic scored 50 factors to eclipse 10,000 for his profession and had 15 assists, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to a 128-114 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday evening.
“He’s one of the best in the world,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned. “As I’ve always said, we can’t take him for granted. When he’s feeling it, you’re just trying to get him the ball as much as possible.”
They certain did in opposition to the Suns and Doncic made them pay for it.
Doncic capped a Christmas Day stuffed with NBA video games with a stellar efficiency, hitting 8 of 16 from 3 and all 12 of his free throws. He eclipsed 10,000 profession factors within the first quarter to succeed in the milestone in 358 profession video games, seventh quickest in NBA historical past.
PHOTOS: Doncic scores 50 factors to eclipse 10,000 for profession, Mavericks beat Suns 128-114
The remainder of the Mavericks chipped in when Doncic handed out of double groups.
Dereck Lively II had 20 factors and 10 rebounds after lacking 4 video games with an ankle sprain and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 factors in Dallas‘ ninth straight game without Kyrie Irving (heel).
After allowing Phoenix to take the lead, Dallas went on a 17-4 run midway through the fourth quarter and pulled away from there.
“That was a tough road game and outside of the 10K and 50 points, we won the game so I’m actually glad,” Doncic mentioned.
The Mavericks did their finest to restrict the effectiveness of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, holding them to 25 mixed pictures.
With Phoenix‘s two stars surrounded by defenders all night, Chimezie Metu and Grayson Allen gave the Suns a lift off a bench that’s been a weak spot at instances this season.
Allen scored 19 of his 32 factors within the third quarter to assist the Suns rally from a 15-point deficit and went 8 of 17 from 3. Metu had 23 factors and a career-high 19 rebounds with large man Jusuf Nurkic lacking his second straight sport because of private causes.
The Suns have misplaced 9 of 11.
“We weren’t stopping them in the fourth, so we were taking the ball in the basket,” Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned. “Double teaming Luka, they were hurting us and when we weren’t doubling, he was hurting us as well and I think that took us out of our rhythm offensively some.”
Doncic had a 39-point triple-double in a win over San Antonio his final sport and received off to a scorching begin within the desert.
He welcomed Lively again by setting him up with two simple baskets on the rim. Doncic began on the lookout for his shot after that, scoring 17 factors on 5-of-6 capturing within the first quarter to present the Mavericks a 36-24 lead.
Doncic returned within the second quarter to hit a step-back 3-pointer and located Derrick Jones Jr. for a hovering alley-oop. Doncic had 24 factors and eight assists to present Dallas a 64-54 halftime lead.
The Suns had been disjointed offensively a lot of the first half, lacking 13 straight pictures beginning late within the first quarter. Phoenix saved Dallas inside attain behind Metu’s 13 factors by attending to the road, hitting 12 of 14 free throws within the first half.
“I trust the players on this team,” mentioned Booker, who had 20 factors and 10 assists. “I’m throwing it to them every time, but the first half we were just missing them.”
The Suns had higher ball motion to open the third quarter, utilizing penetration to get open appears to be like whereas chopping Dallas‘ lead to 75-71. Phoenix took the lead on Allen’s 3-pointer and issues received testy late within the third quarter when Dallas‘ Grant Williams pulled Booker by his jersey.
The Mavericks used their big run to go up eight and stretched it to 14 on Doncic’s runner within the closing seconds to push him to 50 factors, capping his particular Christmas evening.
UP NEXT
Dallas: Hosts Cleveland on Wednesday.
Phoenix: Plays at Houston on Wednesday.
