MAVERICKS 104, SUNS 112

[DanSchwartzgan]

SUNS SCORCH MAVS IN FOURTH QUARTER


PORZINGIS (30). KP had a good offensive night,
but in the fourth, the Suns aggressively and successfully targeted him with their PNRs. That is a weakness that would seem to bear addressing. 

First, we have to acknowledge that Dallas needs to play a near perfect game to win against top teams without Luka.  His absence forces everyone to move up a notch and we just don't have the skill sets to do that in most cases.

I thought the fourth was a case of bad D leading to bad O.  I noted the attack on KP's manhood in the game thread (Phoenix did the same thing Wednesday in the 4th).  We really don't have a good answer for this right now.  The easy buckets forced Dallas to tighten up and speed up (Luka doesn't typically let that happen).  But, JB isn't Luka and THJ isn't JB (or the role JB typically plays) and Bullock isn't THJ (or the role THJ usually plays).  Everyone was out of their depth and the pressure got to us.  JB missed five shots in a row in the fourth.  THJ missed four shots in a row in the fourth.  KP was playing efficiently this night and didn't get a shot in the fourth until the 6:00 mark (his only shot of the period).  By then, Phoenix had already gone on a 14-1 run.  Game Over!