Mavericks’ Luka Doncic matches Suns’ 27 points in 1st half of Game 7

PHOENIX — To start a Western Conference semifinals Game 7 for all the marbles, the Phoenix Suns looked like they were walking on marbles against the Dallas Mavericks.

They trailed by 30 points, 57-27, and got booed off the court heading into halftime after besting a season-worst 17-point first quarter with a 10-point second.

The final score: 123-90, Dallas, which advanced to the Western Conference Finals where it will face the Golden State Warriors.

Mavericks star Luka Doncic matched the Suns by scoring 27 himself in the first half, finishing with 35.

Phoenix got off to a jittery start at Footprint Center on Sunday, shooting 26% (6 of 23) from the field to fall behind 27-17 after 12 minutes of play. It was their lowest point output for the first.

Its two All-Stars, Devin Booker and Chris Paul, combined for 0-of-11 shooting in the first half. They closed 7-of-22 for 21 combined points.

Dallas threw heavy blitzes at Booker and kept the ball away from Paul with its fullcourt ball pressure that’s been standard in the first six games of the series. The Suns struggled to run offense, going deep into the shot clock and taking mostly contested jumpers.

Meanwhile, Doncic scored 12 points himself as he attacked Suns switching and the ensuing mismatches.

The Mavericks shot 47% from the field in the first quarter.

It didn’t get better for Phoenix in the second period. With Doncic resting for nearly the first six minutes, Dallas extended their advantage by outscoring the Suns 10-5.

Phoenix’s field goal percentage held steady, ending at 24% at half. That grew to 37% by the end of the blowout, while the Mavericks hit 57% from the floor.

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