A pair of Western Conference teams Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks will be squaring off in American Basketball League clash.
Team preview
Phoenix Suns are in red hot form with seven straight victories, the most recent over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. After losing the first quarter 23-27, Suns took the 2nd quarter 31-40 to take 5-points advantage after half of the game. The third quarter was competitive with 32-32 but Suns bounced back in the final quarter to add 8-points lead to clinch it 117-130. Alec Burks led the Suns with 23 points while Raul Neto added 22 points. Kyle O’Quinn scored the double-double with 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Phoenix will fight for the eighth seed bid in the postseason which looks pretty clear. If Memphis Grizzlies and the Trail Blazers lose their next games, Suns would process to the 8th seed in the western conference.
Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks are coming off with a defeat against Portland Trail Blazers. Portland was on top from the beginning, taking an 8-point advantage after half of the game. In the third quarter, Mavericks made a comeback with taking it 37-32. Going into the final quarter, Trail Blazers was trailing 3-point behind and it didn’t recover till the end, prior to a foul call negating a corner 3-pointer from Dorian Finney-Smith that could have changed the game. For Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis led with record 36 points – one of the best solo performances of the season. Luka Doncic added 24 points while Tim Hardaway contributed 24 points in the loss.
Starting Lineups
Phoenix Suns
Ricky Rubio (PG), Devin Booker (PG/SG), Mikal Bridges (SG/SF), Cameron Johnson (SF/PF), Deandre Ayton (PF/C)
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic (PG/SF), Seth Curry (SG), Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG/SF), Dorian Finney-Smith (SF/PF), Kristaps Porzingis (C)
Key Players
Phoenix Suns
- Devin Booker (SG): 26.6 points, 4.2 rebounds
- Deandre Ayton (C): 18.4 points, 11.5 rebounds
- Ricky Rubio (PG): 13.1 points, 8.7 assists
Dallas Mavericks
- Luka Doncic (PG/SF): 29 points, 9.5 rebounds
- Seth Curry (SG): 12.5 points, 2.3 rebounds
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG/SF): 15.9 points, 3.3 rebounds
