Chris Paul’s sloppy half in Game 3 leads to loss for Suns vs. Mavs
May 6, 2022, 7:51 PM | Updated: 11:09 pm
The Phoenix Suns had a sloppy first half of basketball on Friday night, eventually falling to the Dallas Mavericks 103-94 in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Uncharacteristically, the team turned the ball over eight times in the half, seven of those by point guard Chris Paul.
The team finished with 17 turnovers to Dallas’ eight.
This is only the fifth time this season Paul has had at least five turnovers, with seven being his season high.
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Head coach Monty Williams was asked by ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth what Paul was doing differently and if this game meant anything extra on the point guard’s birthday.
“Just be himself,” Williams said. “Chris has been in these situations before. He knows how to manage the game. A birthday gift for me would be to be himself.”
Chris Paul has never had six turnovers in a playoff half until now, per ESPN’s Time MacMahon.
His career playoff high for turnovers in a playoff game is eight against the San Antonio Spurs in 2012.
Phoenix shot 44.7% from the field and 46.4% from the three point line.
Shooting guard Devin Booker had 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting to pair with two rebounds and six assists.
Jae Crowder led the Suns with 19 points, going 5-for-8 from three. He is now 11-for-18 in the series.
Dallas point guard Luka Doncic finished the half with 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
