Suns' Key to Victory vs Mavericks

The Phoenix Suns are looking to extend their win streak to seven.

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are coming into tonight's contest against the Dallas Mavericks on a six-game win streak.

They look to extend that streak to seven while gaining more separation on Dallas in the standings - Phoenix (No. 5 in the West) is just one game ahead of the Mavericks (No. 8) as the two look to clash.

Dallas has already ruled Dwight Powell out for the contest while Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Seth Curry and Dante Exum remain questionable. 

The Suns should operate as if the Mavericks' star duo will be playing - this is as crucial of a game for them as it is for Phoenix. 

The major question surrounding this game is simple: how are the Suns going to exercise their recent demons against Dallas and come out on top?

The answer is even simpler: the Suns must assert themselves early on. 

The Mavericks might not be the best team in the world, but they are a team that simply won't relinquish a lead they build up.

Doncic and Irving are too skilled on the offensive side of the ball to allow the Suns to get back into the game if a lead is built, unlike the Sacramento Kings or Chicago Bulls - both of which blew 20+ point leads to Phoenix in the last week. 

The Suns have to build some early momentum in any fashion they can - whether it's strong defensive principles, attacking the open court, or any other way that they can expose Dallas.

The ideal start offensively is working to get good looks for Jusuf Nurkic/Grayson Allen early on, building off of the gravity of the Devin Booker-Bradley Beal-Kevin Durant star trio. The hope is role players such as Nurkic/Allen can take advantage of openings and cash in on earlier opportunities. 

The ideal start defensively is to play tight and run the line on the perimeter without overplaying. Dereck Lively II remains one of the best rim runners and finishers in the NBA, with Doncic also making Lively all the more dangerous. The Suns must play discipline basketball and expect to Mavericks' stars to produce - though they can't put all effort into only stopping the two. 

Phoenix and Dallas are set to tip off shortly after 6:30 Arizona time tonight