The Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns are one of the best new rivalries in the NBA, one that was built over the 2022 Playoffs. The Mavericks upset the league-leading Phoenix Suns in the second round of the playoffs with a dominant Game 7 win that made the Suns apologize publicly to their fanbase.
After a fantastic win by the Suns when the teams met for their season opener, many thought order between the franchises had been restored. That was the 10th consecutive win the Suns had over the Mavs in the regular season. However, that streak ended in brutal fashion tonight and fans had jokes for Booker and the Suns.
Luka vs. Devin Booker tonight
Luka: 33 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST, 12-20 FG
D Book: 11 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST, 4-13 FG
Mavs 130-111 W 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0x4LDFBKRV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 6, 2022
Luka Doncic, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy pic.twitter.com/SeoptNMGZJ
— DFW Sports Fan (@DallasMFFLs) December 6, 2022
Luka Doncic in a ZONE pic.twitter.com/L4JQ1HZITD
— Slightly Biased (@BiasedSlightly) December 6, 2022
Luka Doncic made Cam Payne take a SEAT 👀pic.twitter.com/8desSy2Z5p
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 6, 2022
Devin Booker does all that talking and soon as he plays Luka it’s quiet with all due respect 🤣
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) December 6, 2022
Devin Booker know it’s not Halloween right???? Looks like he dressed up as his performance in Game 7
— coopz (@Coopz___) December 6, 2022
I hope the twitter users that argue Booker over Luka are watching this game Lmfao
— Jo (@MavsStan41) December 6, 2022
For the second straight game, Luka Doncic rested in the fourth quarter of a rout. He had 33-6-8 in win over Suns.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 6, 2022
Idk what Jaden Hardy's ceiling is, but I'm confident in saying the Mavs got a steal in selecting him at No. 37.
— Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg) December 6, 2022
devin booker on the left, jaden hardy on the right
really makes ya think… pic.twitter.com/wUA5XZgtxO
— SJ (@SJBasketball8) December 6, 2022
The Mavericks won the game 111-130, with Luka Doncic sitting on the bench for the entirety of the fourth quarter. The Suns’ defense collapsed under pressure from the Mavs and Devin Booker couldn’t contribute enough offensively, struggling to figure out the Mavericks’ defensive gameplan.
Are The Mavericks A Legit Contending Team?
This win improves the Mavericks to a 12-11 record, not nearly as impressive as what other presumed contenders have. However, the Mavs have some of the worst and most shocking losses in the league. They’ve only lost once by double digits this season and are one of 5 teams that are top 10 in both defense and offense.
The Mavs role-players have been plagued by inconsistency this season. While Luka has regularly shown up, nobody knows who his co-star might be on any given night. Today, everybody outside Reggie Bullock stepped up and the Mavs are better off as a result.
The team could make a shock move, like trading for Zach LaVine to solidify themselves as contenders. As long as they have Luka, they’re going to be a playoff threat every season.
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