NBA: Total eclipse as Doncic, Mavericks shock, eliminate top-seed Suns
LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic scored 35 points when Dallas Mavericks completed an incredible game against the top-seeded Phoenix Suns with a seven-stage game in Arizona on Sunday.
Slovenian star Doncic were in great form as the Mavericks won 123-90 at Phoenix’s Footprint Center to claim first place out of seven Western Conference Semi-Final Series 4-3.
The Suns made it to the knockout stages as the best team in basketball, with a regular-season record of 64 wins and just 18 losses.
But a playoff campaign that seemed poised to see a repeat of last season’s advance to the NBA Finals ended up in turmoil and hunted by their fans instead.
Doncic finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, while Spencer Dinwiddie assisted in the precious scoring with 30 points, including five three-pointer passes.
Jalen Brunson also announced a double with 24 points as Dallas advances to the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors starting Wednesday.
“It was amazing,” said Doncic after the win. “I don’t know what to say but this is amazing to win.
“Everybody played their best. We don’t have any days off. An amazing winning team. I have nothing more to say,” added Doncic, who is looking forward to facing Golden State.
“They are a championship team. It will be really hard again. I’m really happy to get this win tonight.
“I’m going to enjoy this win tonight and tomorrow I’ll be thinking about Golden State.”
Phoenix, who had led 2-0 and 3-2 earlier in the series, were left behind in the absence of their star names.
Suns star Devin Booker earned just 11 points while Chris Paul finished with 10.
The Mavs effectively sealed the contest with a devastating first-half performance with 27 points from Doncic.
The Suns came through at half-time with a staggering 57-27, with the home fans booing in disgust as the top seeds returned to the locker room.
After taking a 10-point lead at the end of the first half, the Mavs dropped the hammer in the second half to race for a 30-point lead after the first half.
With Doncic in command, Phoenix simply had no answer to the offense of Dallas, who came off the field 19 to 40 in the first two quarters.
Things were barely improving for Phoenix after halftime, with the Dallas attack once again causing rain in three-pointers to keep their game going.
Another three-pointer Doncic left Dallas with a clear 41 at 83-42 as the torture continued for the hosts.
Suns fans could be seen leaving the stadium before the start of the fourth half, conceding defeat 92-50.
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