Suns End Mavs Streak, Tie Season Series 2-2
The Suns proved on Sunday that they belong in the Western Conference Finals... all at the expense of the Dallas Mavericks, who own the league's best record.
Going into the game down 1-2 in the season series, Phoenix took no prisoners and played the most efficient game of their season in the 22 point victory. Led by their 65% field goal shooting for the game (the NBA high this season), the Suns simply wouldn't allow the Mavs to get back in the game after building a good lead. It didn't hurt that the Suns reserves came in the game and iced it w/ two 3's.
Phoenix rises & falls based on the way Shawn Marion plays, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Marion's outstanding play in the last two games has primed the Suns for a great playoff run. Having not scored more than 17 pts since February 27th, Marion has posted 33 pts (vs. Nuggets) and 20 against the Mavs - both Phoenix victories. Marion finished w/ 7 rbs, 4 asts and 3 blocks to go along w/ his 20 points (8-10 FG).
The game was extremely physical, but in a rare showing, the Suns were actually the ones doing all the damage. Dallas' Josh Howard received a pretty decent cut over his eye late in the game and MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki landed awkwardly on Marion's foot, effectively ending his day (he did return to the game, but was ineffective).
Phoenix was extrenely effective on offensee, putting up 65% FG for the game and over 80% in the 4th quarter, outscoring Dallas by 15. Considering the Mavs reputation for tough defense this year, it sure didn't show. The Suns shot 57% from 3-point land and 96% from the charity stripe (1 missed FT).
Steve Nash added to MVP candidacy with 23 pts and 11 asts in the game, Amare Stoudemire added 24 pts on 10-13 shooting, and Leandro Barbosa, getting the rare start, led the team w/ 29 pts.