PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Devin Booker made Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s feet go haywire

Aug 13, 2020, 2:38 PM | Updated: 9:43 pm

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Indian...

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

(Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)

Devin Booker had 23 points on 13 shots by halftime, and among the very difficult buckets he made, the easiest of them came thanks to the footwork of a wizard.

One hard jab got Dallas Mavericks win Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s feet dancing. As Booker stood there examining the floor, another aggressive jab into the ground caused the defender to simultaneously slip and stay in place.

Booker blew by Kidd-Gilchrist for a dunk, but upon further analysis, it was the footwork before the explosive blow-by that caused the Mavs forward to lose his footing, not knowing where his busy feet were taking him.

The mid-range dismantling by Booker was yet another example that sometimes less is more.

Phoenix led Dallas, 76-57, at halftime. It wasn’t only Booker contributing.

The bench unit that was been stellar for the Suns got 13 points from point guard Cam Payne and eight more from Dario Saric. Forward Mikal Bridges had 12 points, while Ricky Rubio added seven assists and Deandre Ayton scored seven to go with seven rebounds, three dimes and a block.

The Mavs got 18 points in 13 minutes from star second-year pro Luka Doncic.

But with no seeding to play for, Dallas was not giving its star extended minutes. He sat to start the third quarter. The Mavericks entered the game with big man Kristaps Porzingis safely on the bench with a minor injury.

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