In a game that had big time playoff implications, the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks had themselves quite the playoff type of atmosphere brewing on Saturday night.
The Dallas Mavericks had to simply defeat the Suns to clinch a playoff berth after missing out last year, and they did so in exciting fashion. The Suns got off to a great start, with the play of guard Eric Bledsoe and forward Channing Frye. Bledsoe had himself one heck of a game reeling in a ridiculous stat line of 29 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals. Channing Frye chipped in 21 points, 18 of three pointers, and six rebounds. But it wasn't enough to overcome the dynamic duo of Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki.
Monta Ellis exploded for a game high 37 points against the Suns, and his partner in crime Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points and eight rebounds. Together, they proved to be too much for the Suns to handle in crunch time. Nowitzki hit a three to break the tie at 89 all, then Ellis had a three pointer a few possessions later to extend their lead late in the fourth. The Mavericks look to do big things in this seasons playoffs with Ellis and Nowitzki leading the way, knowing that Dirk doesn't have too many more runs left in him.
The Suns fell short for the second game in a row, leaving them just a half game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the west. They lacked quality production from a few players that have had significant roles in their success as of late. Guard Goran Dragic struggled shooting the ball coming off a left ankle sprain a few games back, only scoring 13 points only making 6 of his 18 field goal attempts. Forwards P.J. Tucker and Gerald Green combined to only score 15 points on 4 for 16 shooting, after being big time contributors in the final run of the regular season.
The Phoenix Suns only have two games left this season, their next game is a crucial one against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, that will most likely determine who goes to the postseason. Luckily, the Suns will get the Grizzlies on the second game of a back to back as Memphis plays the Lakers in Los Angeles Sunday night.