NBA Playoffs WCSF, Game 5: Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns (2-2), Tues 5/10/22

[Mori Chu]

If we are struggling this much with Dallas, I have a hard time seeing us even getting to the Finals, much less winning it. We really need a bounce-back game today.

We don't look like an NBA champion in these playoffs so far. The only good news I can think of is that there's no particular team this year that looks like a juggernaut. Golden State? Eh, not really; they're barely beating Memphis without Ja. Boston? They're having trouble stopping Giannis. Milwaukee? They have lost their second-best player. Miami? They're struggling to beat Philly. I feel like it's wide open this year for a team to grab that title. I just hope it'll be us.

[bajanguy008]

Everyone commenting on rotations make decent points but I just don't see JaVale and Cam getting benched.

[bajanguy008]

As for DA

[Split T]

Part of that was he only played 18 minutes in game 2 because of foul trouble.

[Split T]

Wonder if Monty would feel more comfortable going Craig at the 5 and that’s why we haven’t seen the small ball lineup.

[TOO]

If we are struggling this much with Dallas, I have a hard time seeing us even getting to the Finals, much less winning it. We really need a bounce-back game today.

This. They had too much trouble with a 36 win team, this Dallas team is a great matchup for the Suns and they are still having trouble. Something feels off, did everyone play over their heads last year? The bench specifically. They need a guy like Dario, a 5 that can stretch it out.

Stop it with the 36 win team BS. The national media is bad enough but you know better. We all know that win total wasn't indicative of the Pels team we faced in the playoffs.

They were a .500ish team post trade. Still not great. It's not like they were winning at .750 clip like their opponents. For a team that was a dominant as it was til the last month, this whole run has been underwhelming thus far, they look much more like the team that played the last month than the one that ran through the league the first 5.

[Indy]

If we are struggling this much with Dallas, I have a hard time seeing us even getting to the Finals, much less winning it. We really need a bounce-back game today.

This. They had too much trouble with a 36 win team, this Dallas team is a great matchup for the Suns and they are still having trouble. Something feels off, did everyone play over their heads last year? The bench specifically. They need a guy like Dario, a 5 that can stretch it out.

Stop it with the 36 win team BS. The national media is bad enough but you know better. We all know that win total wasn't indicative of the Pels team we faced in the playoffs.

They were a .500ish team post trade. Still not great. It's not like they were winning at .750 clip like their opponents. For a team that was a dominant as it was til the last month, this whole run has been underwhelming thus far, they look much more like the team that played the last month than the one that ran through the league the first 5.

Agreed. For the "best Suns team ever and best NBA team this season" we haven't played like it for more than a game here and there for about 6 weeks.

[Split T]

Pels went 15-10 post trade deadline and had like the 7th best net rating I believe. Dallas had the 2nd best net rating post trade deadline I believe…or maybe it was just 2nd best record.

[Indy]

Pels went 15-10 post trade deadline and had like the 7th best net rating I believe. Dallas had the 2nd best net rating post trade deadline I believe…or maybe it was just 2nd best record.

CJ played in 26 games for them and they went 14-12 in those games. They also went 4-4 in the playoffs (2-0 in play-in, 2-4 against us).

[In2ition]

Pels went 15-10 post trade deadline and had like the 7th best net rating I believe. Dallas had the 2nd best net rating post trade deadline I believe…or maybe it was just 2nd best record.

If you take every loss out in which the Pels were missing Ingram, CJ, and/or Nance, they would have gone 15-1 in that time. It would have been interesting how good they were against everyone with a healthy team over an extended time.

[JeremyG]

I'd like to see Ayton get around 20-25 points tomorrow.

He could score 40 if Monty made that the game plan. Use your advantage against Dallas to your advantage. Instead, it's the same old stuff that isn't working--no adjustments.

[Indy]

I'd like to see Ayton get around 20-25 points tomorrow.

He could score 40 if Monty made that the game plan. Use your advantage against Dallas to your advantage. Instead, it's the same old stuff that isn't working--no adjustments.

We have played differently the last two games. There are adjustments happening. But you also need the players to do their part. Most fell woefully short last game, none more so than Ayton.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I'd like to see Ayton get around 20-25 points tomorrow.

He could score 40 if Monty made that the game plan. Use your advantage against Dallas to your advantage. Instead, it's the same old stuff that isn't working--no adjustments.

We have played differently the last two games. There are adjustments happening. But you also need the players to do their part. Most fell woefully short last game, none more so than Ayton.

It still really annoys me that they weren't ready to adjust in Game 3. They embarrassed the Mavs in Game 2. They'll never admit they thought the series was over after two games, so why did they not anticipate a better effort and obvious defensive adjustments?

[Flagrant Fowl]

And Ayton couldn't score 40. I know this because his career high is 35.

[ShelC]

It's really disappointing the team can look so dominant for 2 games and then look completely lost and flat the next two games. I don't think the Mavs made so many drastic adjustments or are playing this crazy defense that we can't figure out. We need to get back to early seals in the post, feeding DA for quick shots, get Mikal in motion for his midrange jumpers and stop trying to be cute with drawing fouls or playing to the refs. This Mavs team is not that good.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I wanted to put a hole in my TV every time Paul passed out of a good shot in the first quarter in these games. This isn't February. Take the easy two points.

[Flagrant Fowl]

As for DA

Does "received passes" not include the ones he doesn't catch?

[Split T]

Pels went 15-10 post trade deadline and had like the 7th best net rating I believe. Dallas had the 2nd best net rating post trade deadline I believe…or maybe it was just 2nd best record.

CJ played in 26 games for them and they went 14-12 in those games. They also went 4-4 in the playoffs (2-0 in play-in, 2-4 against us).

Hmm, I must have miscounted. They went 13-10 post trade deadline, but CJ played about 5 games before the deadline and they went 1-4 in those games. I do know Ingram missed a few games in there as well.

[BlaCkAdDa]

Just win

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[Mori Chu]

Dear Suns,

Please guard the Mavs' 3-point shooters.

Love,
Mori