The Phoenix Suns landed in the bubble with little if any chance of making the playoffs, 13th in the conference and 6 games from the Grizzlies. But they welcomed this opportunity to be able to play in the bubble with open arms, a great opportunity to grow as a team. And their first two games were crowned with success tonight with a snatch victory over the Dallas Mavericks. If they remain 13th, they have moved closer to the pack in front of them and are only 4 games away from Memphis.
“It’s the kind of game that will help us grow, especially given the young team we have. You can’t train on this. Coming here will help. We are here and our chances are slim, but we have a chance. That’s what we are here for. ” Ricky rubio
This victory they went to seek it since they quickly found themselves largely led, by 2 points after a quarter, in great difficulty to contain a duo Doncic wound (40 points) – Kristaps Porzingis (30 points) untenable. Their delay peaked at 15 points in the first half, a lesser evil thanks to a great duo Devin Booker (30 points at 10/20, 3 rebounds and 4 assists) – Ricky Rubio (20 points at 7/17 including 2/3 at 3-pts, 9 rebounds and 7 assists) which kept them a little alive.
“Book and Ricky haven’t given up. These two guys didn’t let that deter them. They stayed the course. We keep saying this in the regroupings: ‘Stay the course. Hang on. We will have a chance to win. ‘ It is a testament to their leadership. ” Monty Williams
While Deandre Ayton lived a nightmare with his faults, just like Devin Booker, in the second half the bench quickly took over with in particular Jevon Carter and Frank Kaminsky, which enabled Phoenix, also with the help of Cameron Johnson to pounce on Dallas. Result a quarter time won 36-19 to start the last quarter in the lead.
“That’s what a playoff team does. Sometimes the holders set the tone, sometimes the bench helps when the holders are not having a great day. It’s a team thing and I think we showed it tonight. ” Rubio
At 6 minutes from the end they took up to 9 points ahead of a basket from Booker and then held on as best they could, in particular deprived of their leader, who left for 6 faults. They were helped a lot by very very clumsy Mavs from afar, which did not prevent them from gradually grabbing their delay to be only a small possession in the last minute, but Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. missed their shoots for the win.
“It’s just a lot of competitive guys with huge motivation and a lot of willpower. Like I just told them, that was what I wanted to see in this bubble, being with your back to the wall, and everyone tried hard. It was determination. It was motivation, a guy’s attitude that won’t give up and I’m proud of them. I wanted them to be able to experience something like this together, so that we could grow as a team. ” Williams
The next meeting will be a new test for the Suns as they face the Los Angeles Clippers.
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