Instant Recap: Suns Rebound in Impressive Game 5 Victory, Defeat Mavericks 110-80
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After dropping their first pair of games in the 2022 postseason, the Phoenix Suns returned to the familiar walls of the Footprint Center to host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Questions surrounded the Suns and whether they would be able to face adversity the proper way.
When the buzzer sounded in Phoenix's 110-80 victory over Dallas, there was no doubting plenty of gas was still left in the tank for Thursday's Game 6 on the road.
The Suns are now up 3-2 in the series. Here's how the action panned out:
First Half Recap
Suns Starters: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Deandre Ayton
Mavericks Starters: Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell
Dallas again got off to a quick start shooting, converting their first three of five three-point attempts. Doncic scored a quick seven points to put the Mavericks up 15-9 early at the first stoppage in play.
Ayton was forced out of action earlier than anticipated after two quick fouls.
Dallas would eventually build a lead of up to 8 points in the first before the Suns battled back, led by Booker's early 12 points in the quarter.
Phoenix had an opportunity to tie the game at 26 as the seconds ticked away, but the Suns missed three consecutive shots from downtown after securing multiple offensive rebounds.
The Mavericks, forcing three turnovers from Phoenix, held the advantage heading into the second quarter, 26-23.
The second quarter opened up play, as both teams began to settle into their respective offensive sets.
Ayton would eventually find his way back in the game, providing a much needed presence in the paint.
Paul finally found his first basket of the game with 8:16 left in the first half, choosing to sit back and facilitate like he typically does despite missing his first two shots.
When Dallas' Davis Bertans (who nailed four straight three-pointers in Game 4) converted back-to-back attempts from downtown (the second was a four-point play after being fouled), the Mavericks saw their lead once again climb up to seven points.
Crowder amassed his third foul, being relegated to the bench with 5:19 left in the half.
However, the Suns eventually went on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 40-40. A Bridges steal and layup at the other end gave Phoenix their first lead since their 3-2 advantage earlier in the game.
The two teams battled before the Suns took control in the final two minutes and carried their lead into the break, 49-46.
Doncic would pace the scoring with 18 points to his name. Booker would trail just behind at 16.
Dallas' three-point shooting cooled down after another quick start, as the Mavericks finished the first half shooting 6-16 from beyond the arc. Phoenix out-rebounded the Mavericks 25-20 and doubled their assist totals, 12-6.
This was the first game in the series where neither team reached 50 points before halftime.
Second Half Recap
In the early stages of the third quarter, the Suns climbed to a 61-50 lead after going on a 10-0 run, capped off by a Booker three in transition and forcing Mavericks coach Jason Kidd to call an early timeout.
Phoenix excelled at forcing the Mavericks into tough scenarios when facing the shot clock, and their emphasis of rotating better to shooters on the outside.
The Suns would grow their 10-0 run to a 17-0 run, capped by Booker shooting free throws after Finney-Smith flagrant one foul.
Phoenix would take full control of the game beginning in the third quarter, forcing 12 Mavericks turnovers and outscoring Dallas (who failed to record a point in a five-minute stretch at one point) 35-14 in the period.
It was perhaps the best period of basketball played by Phoenix since
After their explosive third period of play, the Suns were able to utilize their bench during the fourth quarter, with players such as Cam Johnson, Bismack Biyombo and Landry Shamet making the most noise.
After halftime, Dallas truly never saw a chance to get themselves back in the game. The final 12 minutes of the game confirmed that.
Phoenix maintained their significant lead throughout the course of the fourth quarter, eventually seeing out the victory in 110-80 fashion by bleeding the shot clock and continuing their impressive defensive efforts.
Phoenix didn't exactly emerge from the game squeaky clean, however. There was a scare for the Suns towards the end of the game however, as Crowder dropped to the floor after an apparent shoulder injury with 4:25 remaining. He immediately went to the locker room and was in obvious pain.
Torrey Craig, who returned from injury, saw minutes at the end of the game and secured two successful three-point attempts, letting everybody know he was officially back.
It was a strong but much needed outing after two disappointing games in Dallas. Despite a sluggish start, the Suns capitalized on their opportunities and flexed the muscle everybody believed they had prior to the start of the series.
What's Next
The Suns will head back to Dallas on Thursday for Game 6 of the series. The winner of Game 5 has gone on to win the series 82% of the time, so Phoenix fans should feel good about Tuesday night's victory.