By the numbers: Breaking down the Suns’ historic 4th quarter in Game 2
May 5, 2022, 9:56 AM | Updated: 11:32 am
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a slam dunk against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 04, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
If there’s one thing the Phoenix Suns have made clear this season, they love nothing more than demoralizing their opponent when the fourth quarter hits.
That was much of the same in Wednesday night’s Game 2 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, cruising to a 129-109 win behind a dominant final 12 minutes.
However, the Suns latest edition was one of the historic variety on a number of accounts.
With a narrow lead heading to the last quarter, Phoenix did what they do best in order to secure a 2-0 series lead before heading to Dallas.
Let’s take a look at arguably the best stretch of basketball the Suns have played this postseason, by the numbers:
40
In the fourth quarter of Game 2 at Footprint Center, the basket had to look the size of the Grand Canyon for the Suns.
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Phoenix scored a blazing 40 points in the final frame, marking their highest quarter point total so far these playoffs after scoring 35 points in the opening quarter of the Dallas series.
Leading 89-83 going to the fourth, the Suns outscored the Mavericks by 14 points to cruise to victory thanks to a historic shooting performance from the field (see below).
84.2
Wondering how the Suns were able to pull away with ease in Game 2? Here’s your answer.
Phoenix shot an astounding 84.2% from the field in the final quarter, becoming just the third team in the last 25 seasons to shoot over 80% in the fourth quarter of a playoff game.
The Suns became the first team since 2014 to reach the mark since the San Antonio Spurs shot 87.5%. The Minnesota Timberwolves did so as well in 2004, shooting exactly 80% from the field in the fourth.
Thanks to a flurry of fourth-quarter buckets, the Suns shot 64.5% from the field for the game to set a new franchise postseason record.
14
If there’s one thing we’ve learned this playoffs, Suns point guard Chris Paul has owned the fourth quarter.
He did so when the Suns needed him most to get past the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round.
Now in the conference semifinals, he’s doing it again.
Paul scored 14 of his 28 points in the final frame, marking the fourth time he’s scored double digits in the fourth quarter this postseason, which tops the league.
“Chris, the way he just continues to pick that spot when it’s time to take over, is really impressive,” Suns head coach Monty Williams told reporters postgame.
