A good win against an undermanned team keeping play in hopes alive.
The Phoenix Suns accomplished what they needed to do to remain in contention for the final Play In spot, they came into Dallas and beat an undermanned Mavericks team, 125-116.
The Suns took advantage of their size, dominating the glass 46-32 and outscored the Mavericks 68-48 in points in the paint. After a back and forth first quarter, the Suns led by 8 and never relinquished the lead.
This was a well-balanced scoring affair with Devin Booker leading the Suns with 24 points and 6 assists. Kevin Durant chipped in with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 turnovers. All of his turnovers coming in the first half. Bradley Beal had 19 points on 7-10 shooting to go with 6 assists. Grayson Allen had a solid game with 17 points off the bench and had a couple of outstanding hustle plays.
Grayson getting some hang time pic.twitter.com/YfDMoHNzEC
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 9, 2025
Game Flow
First Half
Despite starting the game with three straight turnovers, the Phoenix Suns led the Mavericks, 32-24 after the first quarter.
After ABC announcer Mark Jones and his partner noted the Suns need to come out with a sense of urgency, they started the game lethargic. The Mavericks were leading 17-11 after a Kessler Edwards three, the Suns outscored the Mavs 21-7to close out the first quarter. Mason Plumlee and Bol Bol each had 6 points. The Suns shot 68.2% and had 9 assists. They also had five turnovers; KD had three of those.
The Mavs go on a 12-4 run in the second quarter to cut the lead to 47-40. The Suns close out the first half leading the Mavs 60-54. KD had 11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 turnovers and Grayson Allen had 10 points. Bol Bol did not see action in the second quarter after having a solid first with 6 points and 4 rebounds and no turnovers.
Bol Bucket pic.twitter.com/dDhSB67NQj
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 9, 2025
Grayson Allen had a nice hustle play preventing a fast break that would have cut the lead to four.
Grayson Allen hustle defense! pic.twitter.com/DcG3ObdGwH
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 9, 2025
Naji Marshall scored 15 points and Brandon William had 11 points. The Suns held a 25 to 13 rebound advantage in the first half, but the Mavericks only turned the ball over 2 times, while the Suns had eight.
Second Half
The second half the Mavs played like they were not going to go down easily with a 12-4 run to cut the lead to 74-68. But Bradley Beal led a 13-4 run. Beal either scored or assisted in 10 of those points. At the end of the third quarter the Suns led 97-86.
The start of the fourth quarter the Suns were letting the Mavs take open threes, we failed to close out on the shooters. The Mavs trimmed the lead to 105-97 and Coach Bud called a timeout.
Grayson Allen had a big block where the Mavs could have cut the lead down to 6. After Booker went in for a dunk to push the lead up to 10.
Grayson Allen again with the rimpro rotation
Look at him meet this above the rim
Little thing but he’s really good leaping off 2 feet & with timing those up in these scenarios pic.twitter.com/fH9L8BktN5
— Stephen PridGeon-Garner (@StephenPG3) March 9, 2025
Give the Mavs credit, they continued to play hard in the fourth quarter, but an 8-0 Suns run extended the lead to 118-102. Ball game!
Naji Marshall had a career high 34 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Mavericks.
Up Next
The Suns visit Memphis to face the Grizzlies tomorrow at 5:00PM.
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