3 thoughts from the Mavericks’ loss to the Suns: Second-half struggles continue in the NBA bubble

Before facing the Suns on Sunday night, the Mavericks clinched their first playoff berth since 2016 via the Grizzlies’ loss to the Spurs earlier in the day.

Though coach Rick Carlisle said before the game he wished the Mavericks’ would have achieved the milestone with a win, Memphis’ struggles proved to be Dallas’ only good fortune.

Here are three thoughts about the Mavericks’ 117-115 loss to Phoenix, their second in two games in the NBA’s Disney World bubble.

Another second half squandered

Each of the Mavericks’ first-two games have followed the same script:

Dominate scoring, specifically with at least 73 points in each first half. Then hit a second-half lull. And finish with a loss.

The Mavericks blew a seven-point lead in the final 45 seconds against Houston before losing in overtime. But their second-half struggles against the Suns were more drawn-out, and perhaps even more painful to endure.

Dallas led by 15 points in the final seconds of the first half. Out of the break, the Suns compiled a 14-3 run midway through the third quarter to pull ahead. The Mavericks, who were 1 of 18 from three in the second half, tied the game twice in the fourth quarter, but never regained the lead.

After vowing to improve on the season-long struggles in clutch time, the Mavericks’ fell to a team unlikely to challenge for a play-in playoff spot on a night when the Rockets, one spot ahead of Dallas in the West standings, improved to 2-0 in the bubble by beating Milwaukee.

An either-or pattern for Mavs’ third options

As Seth Curry dazzled from the perimeter in the weeks before the NBA’s coronavirus suspension, some wondered whether Curry or Tim Hardaway Jr., who’d taken Curry’s spot in the starting lineup a few weeks into the season, was the Mavericks’ clear No. 3 option.

Perhaps a more pressing question has developed after the first two games this summer: Can they both shine in the same game?

Against the Suns, Curry quickly surpassed the three-point total he managed against Houston, and finished with 16 points. Hardaway endured first-half foul trouble Sunday and scored just two points on 1 of 13 from the field, two days after recording 24 points, five rebounds and five assists against the Rockets.

That Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, who combined for 70 points Sunday, are offensive focal points means they dominate possessions. But aligning successes for Curry and Hardaway would be a boost for Dallas as the playoffs are officially six games away.

Luka Doncic got personal draft payback — again

From the start Sunday, Doncic was aggressive in driving to the basket against the Suns. All 40 of his points came from inside the three-point arc or from the foul line. Doncic also added eight rebounds and 11 assists.

The physicality likely had nothing to do with the Suns having had the chance to draft Doncic at No. 1 overall in 2018, but selecting DeAndre Ayton instead.

But Doncic’s performance, a game after recording his NBA-leading 15th triple-double of the season, was another reminder of his status as the draft’s best player two years later.

In six career games against the Suns before Sunday, Doncic has averaged 22.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists, shooting 46.3% from the field.

It won’t be long before another Doncic-draft-related matchup: The Mavericks on Tuesday play the Kings, who took Marvin Bagley III at No. 2 in 2018, one spot ahead of Doncic.

National Reaction

Below are tweets reacting to the Mavs loss to the Suns and to Dallas clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2016.

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