Injury Report
| Player |
Team |
Date |
Status |
Info |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. |
Dallas Mavericks |
25 Jan 2022 |
Out (Foot) |
Hardaway Jr. suffered a fractured left foot, and there is no timetable for his return. |
| Dario Saric |
Phoenix Suns |
7 Jul 2021 |
Out (Knee) |
Saric suffered a torn ACL in his right knee and there is no timetable for his return. |
How can the Mavericks beat the Suns?
The Dallas Mavericks had a chance to take down the Phoenix Suns, but their own defensive performance let them down. While they have plenty of offensive talent, the Mavericks won’t find victory if they can’t challenge the Suns inside the arc.
The Dallas Mavericks allowed the Phoenix Suns to shoot 55% from inside the arc in Game 1. Their three-point defence was decent, but their inability to challenge at the rim or defend the screen and roll spelled their end.
Should they be able to sort out their interior defence, the Mavericks have a good chance at levelling the series. But if they continue to get beaten off screens and at the rim, it’ll be a replay of Game 1, and a 0-2 hole.
Mavericks Key Player: (G) Luka Doncic
Don’t look any further than Luka Doncic if you want to know who is the most impactful player on the Mavericks. He almost single-handedly brought the Mavericks back into the game for a win, giving Dallas promising outlook for Game 2.
In Game 1 against the Suns, Doncic posted 45 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 block in 44 minutes of play. He shot 15 of 30 from the field while also converting on 11 of 14 free throws.
If Doncic wants to lead his Mavericks to victory, he’d do well to improve on his 5 turnovers from Game 1. Doncic’s offensive ability is enough to overcome almost any difference, so he needs to keep his teammates involved to stay competitive.
How can the Suns beat the Mavericks?
The Phoenix Suns established themselves in Game 1, enforcing their efficient play and disrupting the Mavericks with their impressive defence. If they want to go up 2-0 on the series, they’d do well to push the pace from the outset.
In Game 1, the Suns were only able to survive Dallas’ late run due to their strong start. Not only did the Suns win the first half 69 to 56, but they shot 63.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
The pace between the two teams was similar in Game 1, but the efficiency was clearly in Phoenix’s favor. If Phoenix can set the tone to open the game once again, a 2-0 lead in the series isn’t far-fetched.
Suns Key Player: (C) DeAndre Ayton
The Phoenix Suns have shown that their perimeter play can disrupt any defence, but it was young center DeAndre Ayton who caused major issues for the Dallas Mavericks. His finishing ability and rebounding can set the tone for the Suns.
Ayton doesn’t create much on his own, but his two-man play is excellent when paired with Paul or Booker. In Game 1, Ayton posted 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block in 33 minutes of play. He was 12 of 20 from the field and a plus-10 on the night.
The Mavericks struggled to contain Ayton’s size and aggression in the paint, something that he must take advantage of in Game 2. Should Dallas make adjustments to pressure his touches, Ayton must be precise with his passing.
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