PHOENIX Suns centre Deandre Ayton reacts to a shot during pregame warmups before Game 1 in the second round of the NBA Western Conference playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, on Monday night in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMIAN and National Basketball Association rising star Deandre Ayton liked the way his Phoenix Suns got started in game one of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night.
Before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Ayton - the number one pick in the NBA draft in 2018 - came up with 25 points to lead the Suns to a 121-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
“We got away from our principles, but I’m glad that happened early,” Ayton said.
“A little eye-opener to where these dudes don’t give up. Basically just, break the damn gas pedal. That’s it. Break it. Don’t take your foot off it because they’re not letting up.”
Devin Booker posted a near triple-double with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in his second game back after missing three straight games in the first round against the Pelicans with a strained right hamstring and Chris Paul added 19 points as he hit two huge shots to keep the Mavericks at bay when the Suns were going in reverse offensively.
“This is playoff basketball and it’s unacceptable the way we closed it out,” Ayton said. “Coach (Monty Williams) got on us about that, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to win the game. As a team, I wouldn’t say we’re treating it as a loss, but I know for a fact we’re not losing another game like that again. “We’ll be way more locked in like we just came off the L because the team had a gut feeling. When we walked out of the locker room, not everybody was happy with how we ended that.”
The Suns started the fourth with just one starter, Mikal Bridges, along with reserves Cam Johnson, Cameron Payne, JaVale McGee, and Landry Shamet, but Williams eventually had his starting unit out there.
“Sitting there watching our bench, making sure they close out and they play the right way because that’s the type of team where coach takes the starters out and has the bench in,” Ayton said. “Mainly it’s about playing the right way. Playing the right way and finishing out strong.”
Phoenix led 69-56 at the half as Ayton and Booker had 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Game two of the series is scheduled for 10pm tonight in Phoenix before they head to Dallas for game three at 9:30pm on Friday and four 2:30pm on Sunday at the American Airlines Center.
If necessary, game five will return to the Footprint Center in Phoenix at 10pm next week Thursday.
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