Suns Return to Winning Ways in Summer League Victory Over Mavericks
After a tough loss on Sunday afternoon, the Phoenix Suns were able to bounce back in a major way against the Dallas Mavericks, defeating them 105-78 on Tuesday.
The coaching matchup between Dallas' Jared Dudley and Phoenix's Steve Scalzi (who were roommates at Boston College) was perhaps the most interesting duel of the night, as the Suns went ahead early and paced the Mavericks throughout the entire game.
Phoenix got off to an early 8-2 run thanks to a quick six points from center Olivier Sarr.
Fellow big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. also saw a nice stretch of play, recording a bucket, block and finishing a and-one opportunity in consecutive plays in the first quarter.
Ahmad Caver also completed a nasty hesitation move before exploding to the rim and finishing underneath the hoop with a reverse layup.
The Suns carried a 26-13 lead into the second quarter, where things would only get uglier from there.
The second period of action got off to a quick start with a four-point play from forward McKinley Wright IV. Phoenix eventually got up to a 20-point lead, heading into the break with a 45-25 lead.
Sarr (12 points/7 rebounds) and Louis King (10 points/9 rebounds) led the way for the Suns, who dominated the paint with 30 rebounds in the first two quarters.
Phoenix's domination continued to the third quarter, where they eventually built a 76-43 lead late in the third quarter.
The most remarkable play was an emphatic dunk by King over a Dallas defender (technical foul was given afterwards, but well worth the highlight):
It was a fairly boring meeting throughout the rest of the night, as Phoenix maintained their lead to the final buzzer. The Suns walked away as victors in 105-78 fashion, completing one of the more lopsided victories of the Summer League session.
Five Suns (King, Sarr, Wright, Lual-Acuil Jr. and Leonardo Meindl) finished in double-digit scoring. Sarr (12 points-10 rebounds) and King (14 points-10 rebounds) finished with a double-double.
Phoenix outrebounded Dallas 50-34 and managed to shoot 44% from three-point land in their victory.
While the Mavericks fall to 0-3, the Suns now advance to 2-1 ahead of their final scheduled matchup on Friday against the Sacramento Kings (July 15, 5:00 p.m. local time on NBA TV).
They will have a fifth matchup afterwards, dependent on their record.
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