Callie Caplan: Monty Williams said Suns’ defense can’t spread out as much in Game 4 if they want to better guard Luka Doncic in the post: “I’m not quite sure anybody’s put a guy on Luka that’s totally shut him down. He knows how to pick his spots. He’s got really good footwork.”
Source: Twitter @CallieCaplan
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: Bullock, DFS, Powell, Brunson, Doncic
Suns starters: Bridges, Crowder, Ayton, Booker, Paul
2:45 tip @theeagledallas – 3:09 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka, Take 2 pic.twitter.com/6MgsaVKPSP – 2:53 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
“Luka Magic.” pic.twitter.com/Tb6rrade2c – 2:53 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“He’s got to play his game. I’ve talked to him about that all year long, but especially in the 1st round. I just said go out there and hoop and we can live with the results.”
Monty Williams on Cameron Payne, who didn’t score in Game 3 on 0-for-4 FGs. #Suns #Mavs #NBAPlayoffs2022 pic.twitter.com/GtX8ZsJBhs – 2:30 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Monty Williams said Suns’ defense can’t spread out as much in Game 4 if they want to better guard Luka Doncic in the post: “I’m not quite sure anybody’s put a guy on Luka that’s totally shut him down. He knows how to pick his spots. He’s got really good footwork.” – 2:19 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Gotta love Monty Williams, in mid-answer about the difficulty of defending Doncic when … pic.twitter.com/1mjmPYXcJE – 2:05 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Attention, @Nick DePaula: Jason Kidd and Monty Williams are wearing the same Jordans before Game 3. pic.twitter.com/c2T9dQSTik – 2:02 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Monty Williams says Torrey Craig is out again for Game 4 today – 2:00 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
#StatMuseSunday
Luka is averaging 35/10/8 vs the Suns.
We’re giving away $150 https://t.co/gd8GLxQrlo voucher to whoever can guess his exact PTS/REB/AST today. pic.twitter.com/uqNLtCum5N – 1:14 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Hollinger & Duncan: Suns Scorch Luka: Playoffs Week 3 w/ @John Hollinger
Subscribe: https://t.co/T1AUApVtfy pic.twitter.com/ybhk8CPZRR – 12:30 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: The Suns’ loss in Game 3 still had PHX on edge at practice the next day. Which Monty Williams says bodes well for his group es.pn/3vTg7Wk – 10:11 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I tell our guys all the time, I don’t mind dogs, but you’ve got to bring the execution with the dog.” Monty Williams. #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/NNjLEZCEt6 – 8:25 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Torrey Craig still has “soreness” in elbow said #Suns coach Monty Williams as Craig was out Game 3 after injury in Game 2.
Williams said he wouldn’t commit to saying Craig would play Sunday’s Game 4.
#nbaplayoffs2022 #Suns #Mavs – 3:37 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“Luka is built more like Karl Malone, plays like Magic [Johnson], but has the touch and finesse of Larry Bird.”
@Sam Mitchell tells @Brian Geltzeiler he loves what he’s seeing from Luka Dončić #MFFL pic.twitter.com/5EXB8ZyPWb – 3:00 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Jason Kidd says there was no consideration given to challenge the fifth foul call against Luka Doncic last night. Though Doncic clearly upset there was no challenge, Mavs had less than 30 seconds to make a decision and “I thought it was a foul,” Kidd said. 1/2 – 1:30 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Jason Kidd said he never considered challenging Luka Doncic’s fifth foul last night, despite Luka’s frustration on the sideline: “It’s all right for him to be frustrated. … I love that he expressed himself.” – 1:30 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Hollinger & Duncan: Suns Scorch Luka: Playoffs Week 3 w/ @John Hollinger
Subscribe: https://t.co/T1AUApVtfy pic.twitter.com/LFIJafKuam – 12:30 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
From @KSherringtonDMN:
As a true point guard, Luka Doncic’s gravitational pull was felt in Mavs’ Game 3 win dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 12:05 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Jalen Brunson finally made his presence felt in the second round. Luka Doncic responded to the challenge to participate on defense. “Everybody joined the party,” Jason Kidd said after the Game 3 win, and now it’s a series against the Suns. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 11:28 AM
John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
Looks like CJ Paul had a nice chat w/ Luka last night. Probably inviting him to the birthday party. pic.twitter.com/lRfXgWfMnH – 10:18 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Luka Doncic last night:
✅ 26 PTS
✅ 13 REB
✅ 9 AST
It’s the 15 time Doncic has recorded at least 20p/5r/5a in a playoff game.
The only player in NBA postseason history to reach that mark in fewer games than Doncic (19) is Oscar Robertson (16). pic.twitter.com/1hXdvOnx6Y – 10:04 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Start of 3rd down to 5 after Bridges’ make and Doncic turnover then
— Crowder missed open 3
— Brunson’s airball is a pass to Powell to set up a DFS 3
— Ayton non-shooting foul
— Booker turnover
— DFS open 3 while still arguing call
— Ayton miss from 4 feet
— Powell lob – 2:54 AM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka, Mavs fire message to Suns during Game 3 win: Pick on Doncic at your own risk dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 1:21 AM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka, Mavs fire message to Suns during Game 3 win: Pick on Doncic at your own risk dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 1:00 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“But they brought it.”
Monty Williams rattled off a number of issues in Game 3 loss, but gave #Mavs credit.
Game 4 Sunday. #NBAPlayoffs2022 #Suns pic.twitter.com/xXNP8HDjRs – 12:58 AM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Dorian Finney-Smith on Luka Doncic: “The first or second possession, he was on the floor. When the best player does that, it sets the tone.” – 12:30 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Doncic and Embiid are back in charge, Mavs and Sixers get the home wins
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/13… – 12:28 AM
Michael Dugat @mdug
Fun to see the highlights and Booker just fouling the shit out of Brunson for no call while remembering how Luka got his fifth. – 12:28 AM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic: “The energy was insane. This crowd gets us going. Our crowd was amazing the whole game. But the energy and the execution were way better.” – 12:26 AM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Luka Doncic on the difference in the Mavs’ defense tonight: “The energy was insane.” – 12:26 AM
Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
I would bet we see Bridges on Brunson and Crowder on Luka in G4 – I’d also bet we see less of the Johnson, Shamet, Payne and McGee quartet. Easy fixes. – 12:13 AM
Paul Pierce @paulpierce34
Luka and the Tradables – 12:11 AM
Paul Pierce @paulpierce34
I think if u put any Allstar around Luka instatitle jeeez Luka and the whoevers – 12:10 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Luka playoff career stats:
33.1 PPG
9.3 RPG
8.7 APG
49/39/64%
Clearly needs to work on his free throws. pic.twitter.com/kjxocO5BUT – 12:06 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Luka Doncic tonight:
26 PTS
13 REB
9 AST
2 STL
+20
No one on the Suns can guard him. pic.twitter.com/tK2pHptZYD – 12:03 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Luka Doncic single handedly outscored the rest of the Mavs starters in Games 1 & 2, but he got plenty of help tonight. Luka put up 26p 13r 9a in Game 3, but Jalen Brunson led DAL in scoring with 28 pts. Plus: Bullock 15 pts; Kleber 14 pts; Finney-Smith 14 pts. Mavs win 103-94. – 12:03 AM
Dwain Price @DwainPrice
It’s a final: Mavs 103, Suns 94. Jalen had 28-4-5, Luka had 26-13-9, Reggie had 15 pts, Dorian had 14 pts, Maxi had 14 pts. Suns lead best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Dallas at 2:30 p.m. – 12:03 AM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Mikal Bridges is the best off-ball offensive player in the NBA. Showed it on that layup and the one he missed. Mavs were lucky.
I think you must be real careful doubling the ball for any amount of time against the Suns. You can still switch Luka on ball and close space off it – 12:00 AM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Suns with Crowder on Luka, Bridges on Brunson as the initial matchup. – 11:57 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Luka trying to performatively not foul to show how aggrieved he is with the refs isn’t going to lead to playing good defense. – 11:49 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Lead is down to 95-86 with 4:11 left. Crunch time for CP, Luka and everybody else. – 11:49 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Luka shouldn’t even need to come back in this game. Suns going to run out of time either way – 11:47 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Kidd going defense with Frank rather than offense with Dinwiddie with Luka off the floor. – 11:46 PM
Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
Not going back to Luka here is a vibe. – 11:46 PM
Paul Pierce @paulpierce34
How is Luka doing it with this team is he the real MVP – 11:45 PM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
I’m still laughing at Luka trying the rip through move on CP3. – 11:42 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Mavericks were up 90-73 but after Luka’s fifth foul, Booker hits a triple and Paul connects from the elbow. Lead is down to 90-78 with still 7:22 on the clock. That’s going to go about as fast as jail time from the Mavericks’ perspective. – 11:42 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Luka Doncic now with five fouls.
Sat on the court.
Has come out the game. 8:07 left in 4th.
#Suns down 12 as Paul scores.
Timeout #Mavs 7:22 left in game. – 11:41 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic is upset that the Mavs didn’t challenge that foul call. – 11:40 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Luka Doncic is heated that the Mavs didn’t challenge his fifth foul. – 11:40 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka with his fifth foul. Ntilikina quickly into the game. Mavs up 90-73 with 7:56 left. – 11:39 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Five fouls on Doncic. He’s coming back out. Suns down 17 with 8:07 left. Last chance here to get in it. – 11:39 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Think Luka should iso vs a small rather than getting the switch vs McGee. Because McGee is glued to Kleber on the perimeter and he can roll right in. – 11:39 PM
Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Luka was at the rim, with no one in front, and passed that out – 11:37 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Jalen Brunson with no personal fouls through three quarters allowed him to have those 10 points in 1st and 3rd quarters each.
And that saves Luka from having to do everything as a scorer and playmaker
And that saves Luka from getting hunted with no resistance late – 11:37 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Even if Phoenix can hunt Luka here and start scoring, gonna take a lot to make up 15 points vs a whole quarter of Luka-led offense. – 11:37 PM
Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
Took two guys to hold Luka off the O glass there – he just wants it. – 11:35 PM
Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
PHX going to this bench lineup is a clear time for Dallas to give Luka some rest – So many targets for JB to hunt. – 11:32 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Mavs finished minus-1 without Luka Doncic in 5:14 to finish the third quarter.
Huge to hold onto a 15-point lead (82-67) entering the fourth quarter. – 11:30 PM
Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
PHX O has scored .86 ppp with Luka on the bench this game. – 11:30 PM
Mark Followill @MFollowill
Luka went out with 5:14 left in the 3Q with four fouls. Game was 11-11 for the rest of the 3rd. Mavs up 82-67 after 3. – 11:30 PM
Dwain Price @DwainPrice
Mavs lead 82-67 after the third quarter. Jalen has 24 pts, Luka has 23-10-7 and 4 fouls, Maxi has 12 pts, Dorian has 11 pts. – 11:30 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
This was the rotation I was calling for after Game 2, the small group vs McGee and Payne. Mavs got to it because of Luka’s foul trouble. They can score vs this group without him. – 11:27 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic checked out with 5:14 left in Q3 (instead of playing full 12 mins) after picking up his 4th foul.
Shook his head for the crowd as he walked to the bench with Mavs up 71-55. – 11:17 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Luka 4th foul. 5:14 left in 3rd.
Comes out.
Mark score. #Suns down 71-55. – 11:17 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
That’s four fouls on Luka. – 11:16 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Four fouls on Luka Doncic – 11:16 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Luka fought back tonight. Dude ain’t no punk and you gotta respect that – 11:15 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Luka 3. Shaking head.
#Suns down 18. – 11:15 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
During this break, Casey Smith is wrapping Luka Doncic’s right elbow with some gray tape where he’d already had a Band-Aid on.
Battle wounds, or something like that. – 11:14 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Ayton is 3-of-7 FGs tonight for 10 points.
Nothing is in rhythm.
#Suns down 66-51 with 7:28 left in 3rd.
Timeout for infection control.
Doncic was bleeding from the elbow. #NBAPlayoffs2022 – 11:14 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Just a pathetic defensive possession by Luka on the Crowder 3. – 11:13 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Energetic 1st half for Mavs as hey lead Suns 51-44. Mavs have taken 14 more shots, as they have just 1 TO, while forcing 8 from PHX for 10 pts. Brunson the early initiator scoring 10 of his 14 in 1st qtr. Doncic w/16-9-6. 2nd half soon @theeagledallas – 11:00 PM
Dwain Price @DwainPrice
Mavs lead 51-44 at the half. Luka has 16-9-6 and Jalen has 14 pts. – 10:51 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Mavs lead the Suns 51-44 at half.
Luka Doncic: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
Jalen Brunson: 14 points (already his highest-scoring game of the series)
All the Mavs: No foul trouble, finally – 10:49 PM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Luka Doncic is on the way for another one triple double (16pts, 9rebs, 6asts in the 1st half). Great effort by the Mavericks. They’re up by 7 (51-44).
Chris Paul had a rough first half (7pts, 7tos). Jae Crowder is the Suns scoring leader (11pts, 4/5 FG). #dALLasIN #RallyTheValley – 10:49 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
That Luka Doncic offensive foul that could have been Chris Paul’s 4th foul was only Dallas turnover of 1st half
Devin Booker had a 1st quarter turnover
The other 7 turnovers for either team in entire game were all on Paul. A CP3 giveaway for every point Dallas is up at half. – 10:49 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
After a really solid first half, Mavericks lead 51-44. Could have been more, but the Suns are not going to go quietly. Luka with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and just one turnover. Suns have eight turnovers, six by CP3. Mavericks have only that one Luka turnover. – 10:48 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
That should have been CP’s 4th. Had his arms way forward and contacted Luka, got bailed out with the “elbow” but he was only in position to get elbowed because he was fouling him. – 10:47 PM
Alexis Morgan @alexismorgan
luka making fun of cp3 😂 – 10:47 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Luka imitating what he thinks Chris Paul did on drawing an offensive foul on him.
#Suns down seven with 5.1 seconds left. – 10:46 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Luka looked like he was running off-tackle on the goalline right there. – 10:46 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Mikal was satisfied with initial Luka miss, didn’t box out. Suns didn’t secure rebound and Luka got an and-1 – 10:45 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Another great adjustment by Kidd, putting Luka in the post, instead of having him create from above the break, which has caused gradual wear and tear in second halves of the first two games – 10:45 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Third technical foul of Mikal Bridges’ career. I think he was still upset about the post bucket for Doncic a few possessions ago. – 10:40 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Luka Doncic is playing like he’s 230 pounds – 10:38 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
“Don’t flop” says Luka to Bridges. – 10:37 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Luka Doncic looks like he got tired of being the hunted, so he decided to become the huntee.
If that makes any sense idk – 10:35 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Luka power shot over Bridges, fouled by Bridges.
#Suns down 12 as Doncic misses FT. – 10:34 PM
Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
CP3 has defended Luka extremely well all series. – 10:34 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka was out for almost five minutes and the Mavericks only lost one point off their lead. They are up 35-27 with 7:02 left in the half. – 10:32 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Mavericks led 29-20 at the end of the first. Can they survive these second-quarter Luka-less minutes? – 10:20 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Mavs hold serve in the opening quarter at home, going up 29-20 despite Luka Doncic shooting 3-for-10. Jalen Brunson has it going early with 10 pts on 4-for-7 shooting — he averaged just 11 pts on 32.1% shooting in Games 1 & 2 in PHX. – 10:19 PM
Dwain Price @DwainPrice
Mavs lead 29-20 after the first quarter. Jalen has 10 pts, Luka has 7-7-5. Triple-double watch. Maybe one of those 25-18-12 triple-doubles. – 10:17 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Mavs lead Suns 29-20 after Q1.
Big smile from Luka Doncic as he heads to the bench, on first-half triple-double pace with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. – 10:16 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Suns made up a bit of ground but then fittingly botch a switch on Doncic to close a quarter full of little screwups. One of those quarters where it feels like the deficit could have been much worse. – 10:16 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic raises his arms as if to say, “Finally!”
After one quarter: Dallas 29, Phoenix 20. – 10:15 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Sometimes Luka passes up a really good shot for a pump fake, reset and takes a really difficult one. Shot recognition is something he’ll have to look at this summer – 10:15 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
JaVale stuck to Kleber on the outside while Luka just meanders into the lane all day to find a shot vs Booker. – 10:14 PM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Dancing with the stars, Luka Doncic edition #dALLasIN
pic.twitter.com/ni2m26cqlX – 10:11 PM
Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
Chris Paul vs Luka Doncic is a 48 minute anything you can do I can do better game – 10:08 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Doncic with up and under move on Ayton. #Mavs up seven. #Suns – 10:05 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Damn, Luka hit ’em w/it. – 10:05 PM
Tim Cato @tim_cato
there’s nothing more quintessentially luka doncic than a ball falling right into his hands when he’s on the floor upset about a foul and him throwing a perfect dime with it – 10:04 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
One of the little things I talked about with @Danny Leroux for Dallas was pressuring up more full court so PHX would have less time to mismatch hunt. Everyone on Dallas doing it early, even Luka who picked up a foul and had Crowder blow by him. – 10:02 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Doncic is 0-for-4, but has 5 rebounds and 2 assists and 1 steal. – 10:00 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Ayton gets position on Luka, bucket. #Suns up 13-7. – 9:58 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Luka assist to Finney-Smith sitting on his butt. #Suns up 9-5 – 9:56 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: Bullock, DFS, Powell, Brunson, Doncic
Suns starters: Bridges, Crowder, Ayton, Booker, Paul
8:40 tip @theeagledallas – 9:05 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Take 3 on trying to get this stupid tweet right 🙄…
Luka Doncic is warming up for just his second home game this postseason.
Has some black K-tape down his right arm that I don’t remember seeing at any point this season. pic.twitter.com/XPtCiTpE9j – 8:48 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
On the Dario Saric news, Monty Williams said Saric was ramping up from his ACL recovery. Wasn’t able to provide a specific timeline on the injury because meniscus injuries can sometimes be there without someone even knowing. – 8:06 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Monty Williams confirmed Torrey Craig is out. – 8:05 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Suns-Mavs pregame reading, at @TheAthletic
@John Hollinger on CP3’s (old man) brilliance theathletic.com/3295332/2022/0…
@Tim Cato on Luka the Hunted theathletic.com/3295593/2022/0… – 6:48 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Kidd: Suns will hunt Luka Doncic, “He’s got to participate. He’s got to play defense.” nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/06/kid… – 5:00 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Dallas #Mavericks vs. Phoenix #Suns: Monty Williams working 1-on-1 with Cam Johnson on post play (w/video of Johnson and Williams 1-on-1) #NBAPlayoffs #NBAPlayoffs2022 https://t.co/BZ2xdTeb3I via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/Hug8m5F7li – 4:39 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Dallas #Mavericks vs. #Phoenix Suns: Monty Williams working 1-on-1 with Cam Johnson on post play https://t.co/BZ2xdTeb3I via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/XEaNDCklcP – 4:36 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s definitely something I’m working to add to my game and to expand upon as time goes on.”
Cam Johnson was working with #Suns coach Monty Williams on post play Thursday.
So you know what’s next?
Story incoming. #NBAPlayoffs2022 #NBAPlayoffs #Mavs pic.twitter.com/9HVYRNCASQ – 4:31 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Hollinger & Duncan: Suns Scorch Luka: Playoffs Week 3 w/ @John Hollinger
Subscribe: https://t.co/T1AUApVtfy pic.twitter.com/YiR0gfA8LA – 4:30 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bols predictions from @Zach Lowe and @Matt Barnes on #ESPN.
Lowe: #Suns sweep #Mavs.
Barnes: Luka Doncic goes for 50 in a close #Mavs win, but Suns take series in five in Phoenix.
#NBAPlayoffs2022 #NBAPlayoffs – 4:03 PM
Callie Caplan @CallieCaplan
Video of Jason Kidd’s full quote from shootaround this morning (which is calmly making the rounds on Mavs Twitter) about Suns picking on Luka Doncic’s defense: pic.twitter.com/CXseJXLIE0 – 2:59 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Jason Kidd’s full answer after shoot-around about how the Mavs can better combat the Suns’ offensive hunting of Luka Doncic on defense. Kidd compared it to how opponents used to hunt his former teammate, Dirk Nowitzki. pic.twitter.com/JZNc4Hqp6t – 1:51 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s not just protecting Luka, he’s got to participate. He’s got to play defense. There’s no secret. They’re going to put him in every pick-and-roll. They did the same thing with Dirk (Nowitzki). Till Dirk participated and stuck up for himself.” Jason Kidd on Luka Doncic. #Suns pic.twitter.com/ldtl05XK6M – 1:38 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“We need to know when to rotate better because a lot of times we miss the 2nd rotation or the 3rd rotation. They are very good at executing and keeping the ball moving.” Maxi Kleber when asked about “protecting” Luka Doncic on defense as #Suns “hunting” matchup. #NBAPlayoffs2022 pic.twitter.com/fjfFRH7Al9 – 1:32 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
After Game 2, Jason Kidd said the Mavs need to do a better job “protecting” Luka Doncic when the Suns hunt him. Before Game 3, Kidd challenged Doncic to “participate” defensively. pic.twitter.com/VcmwEfJ8qW – 12:42 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Hollinger & Duncan: Suns Scorch Luka: Playoffs Week 3 w/ @John Hollinger
Subscribe: https://t.co/T1AUAqd476 pic.twitter.com/urfVgoGAH1 – 12:30 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Jason Kidd on the Suns’ hunting Luka Doncic: “It’s no secret, they’re going to put him in every pick-and-roll. [Opponents] did the same thing with Dirk [Nowitzki] until he participated and stuck up for himself” – 12:28 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Hollinger & Duncan: Suns Scorch Luka: Playoffs Week 3 w/ @John Hollinger
Subscribe: https://t.co/T1AUAqd476 pic.twitter.com/xVg66du8xl – 9:30 AM
Tom Ziller @teamziller
Got my WNBA title picks and favorite WNBA players to watch (WNBA digital team, please post individual season-long highlight reels for the people!) plus takes on the Brooks suspension and Luka getting hunted: ziller.substack.com/p/wnba-tip-off… – 8:52 AM
The Ringer @ringernba
Dallas doesn’t have a second-best player. Who would complement Luka better: a big man or another perimeter player?
@Chris Vernon and @Kevin O’Connor discuss on #TheMismatch: pic.twitter.com/a5DPWxE9qK – 10:07 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
This was cool to watch Monty Williams working through some things in the post with Cam Johnson. Good ol’ sweat equity as he calls it pic.twitter.com/5MVEjNPr46 – 8:16 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Monty Williams taking it back in showing Cam Johnson post play. #Suns #NBAPlayoffs #Mavs #NBAPlayoffs2022 pic.twitter.com/tSqzE65vHe – 8:13 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Bourguet Breakdown: How the Suns mercilessly hunted Luka Doncic in Game 2 – https://t.co/1N68hDLvZV via @PHNX_Suns pic.twitter.com/n9h7uVF0vl – 8:02 PM
More on this storyline
So when Suns star Devin Booker referred to this season as a “revenge tour” after Phoenix’s win over Dallas in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals series, I was struck by the statement that the 2021 Finals nerve, so to speak, was still raw. “Yeah, I kind of let that slip,” he said with a smile afterward as we chatted in the Footprint Center hallway. -via The Athletic / May 8, 2022
Booker, whose Suns dropped Game 3 in Dallas and will look to take a 3-1 lead in Game 4 on Sunday, shared a few more thoughts about his admission as he headed for the exits. “That’s the greatest hurt in a lot of our careers, especially up 2-0 and then dropping it,” Booker, who is averaging 23.3 points (48 percent shooting overall, 50 percent from 3-point range), five assists and 4.3 rebounds against the Mavs, told The Athletic on Wednesday. “So, you channel it the right way, and we understand that it happens, (but) it’s the deepest hurt of our careers. And now, we have another chance at it. “We feel that hurt. It’s something that you’ll never get over. Even if the day comes when I get one, you’re gonna look back and be like ‘I should’ve had two,’ you know what I’m saying? It’s one of those situations.” -via The Athletic / May 8, 2022
The natural next question came next: Have you watched video of the Finals loss or avoided it entirely as a way of sidestepping the miserable memory? “Yeah, I’ve watched it plenty of times,” he said. “I’ve watched the highlights of it more than the full series, but I’ve watched it.” -via The Athletic / May 8, 2022
