PHOENIX SUNS

By the numbers: The Phoenix Suns’ 2-game road stretch vs. Mavericks

May 9, 2022, 9:35 AM | Updated: 9:41 am

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots past Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) a...

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots past Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and forward Maxi Kleber (42) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

After looking like the far more superior team through the first two games of the series, the Phoenix Suns have watched their two-game Western Conference semifinals lead over the Dallas Mavericks dwindle to a 2-2 stalemate.

A pair of lackluster showings in Dallas can be to blame.

While Phoenix looks to get back to what worked early on in the series, here’s a look back at what went wrong on the road:

A trip to forget for CP3

Suns point guard Chris Paul turned 37 years old the same day as the team’s Game 3 matchup in Dallas.

His final line was not something to celebrate, however, as he turned the ball over seven times on his way to 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

All seven of his turnovers came in the first half, as did his four fouls. It was a pair career firsts to forget for Paul.

The point guard’s foul (10) and turnover (nine) totals combined outpaced his scoring output in the two-game stretch (17)

Turnovers galore

It wasn’t just Paul turning the rock over in Dallas the past two games.

As a team, the Suns posted 17 turnovers in back-to-back outings for the second time this season. The only other time Phoenix turned the ball over at least 17 times in back-to-back games was during a pair of regular games last December against the Washington Wizards (19) and the Chicago Bulls (17).

Including the team’s Game 2 win, the Suns have turned the ball over at least 16 times over three straight outings this series.

Not quite the same output

For the first time all playoffs, Phoenix failed to crack the century mark in Game 3’s 103-94 loss to Dallas.

No Suns player scored at least 20 points in the defeat, with Jae Crowder leading the way with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting (5-of-8 from long range). Guard Devin Booker was right behind him with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting (4-of-6 from deep).

Phoenix had little to no problems putting up points at home, outscoring Dallas 250-223, but lost that battle on the road 214-195.

The Suns hadn’t scored less than a 100 points since a 117-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 3.

The Suns and Mavericks are back in action Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

10 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

13 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

17 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

By the numbers: The Phoenix Suns’ 2-game road stretch vs. Mavericks