Luka Doncic needs Jalen Brunson, Mavs' others to continue to step up against Suns in Game 4

If there's a buzzword for this year's playoffs, it has to be "others." 

It's repeatedly mentioned during NBA broadcasts, a favorite among former players turned analysts like Kenny Smith, Richard Jefferson and J.J. Redick. And while the others does sound like the perfect band name, it's actually referring to the superstar-supporting players on a team. The players that help All-Stars like Luke Doncic win in the postseason, which is exactly what happened in Dallas' Game 3 win over Phoenix on Friday.

Continuing to play at an elite level, Doncic was absolutely masterful in the victory.

He was doing Luka things, dominating offensively and seemingly unbothered by the presence of Suns defenders like Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton. The 23-year-old guard finished the game with 26 points on 44 percent shooting going 11-of-25 from the field. Doncic also finished an assist shy of a triple-double as he dished out nine and grabbed 13 rebounds. 

But Doncic also got into foul trouble, picking up his fourth and fifth in the second half during crucial moments of the game. The Mavs though never faltered.

Thanks to the play of the others of Dallas like Jalen Brunson, Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber and Dorain Finney-Smith, the Mavs could more than weather the storm during the times Doncic had to remain on the bench.

Once again Dallas was looking like the team that at times toyed with the Utah Jazz in the first round.

Defense is back in Dallas

They were locked in on defense, forcing Chris Paul into a career playoff-high seven turnovers and creating havoc with their intensity. After giving up 121 points in Game 1 and 129 in Game 2, Dallas held Phoenix to just 94 points in Game 3. The Mavs also had 12 steals and forced the Suns into 17 turnovers.

Luka Doncic on the difference in the Mavs’ defense tonight: “The energy was insane.”

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 7, 2022

Even on offense, the others of Dallas stepped up.

The return of Jalen Brunson

First-round darling Jalen Brunson reemerged, using his crafty game to get to the line and score at the rim.

He led all scorers, finishing with a game-high 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting and going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Brunson did shoot a putrid 1-of-5 from three but the Mavs didn't need his long-distance shooting. His incessant drives were a contributing factor to the Mavs scoring 50 points in the paint, significantly more than Phoenix's 32. 

Jalen Brunson drove to the basket 26 times in Game 3. He had only 23 combined in Games 1 and 2, per @SecondSpectrum. Mavs scored 1.3 points per Brunson drive tonight, an elite number.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 7, 2022

Besides Brunson, the Mavs also got an excellent performance from Reggie Bullock. 

Reggie Bullock Spoils Chris Paul's Birthday

Paul turned 37 years old on Friday and unfortunately for him, any on-court celebrating was spoiled by Bullock.

The Mavericks defensive swingman made things tough for Paul, picking the Suns star guard up at full court and just hounding him with his quickness.

Paul did shoot efficiently going 55.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. But he only took nine shots, didn't get to the free-throw line and finished the game with just 12 points and four assists.

Add in his seven turnovers and this was a very uncharacteristic performance by Paul.

Bullock didn't slow down Paul all by himself. It was a total team effort on defense with Dorian Finney-Smith also making a difference. 

"Reggie and DoDo... those guys were incredible all year on the defensive end, they showed it today once again"

Luka Doncic on the defense of Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith in Game 3. pic.twitter.com/AazWfzjL2y

— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2022

Bullock though, did hit a dagger three with Paul trailing the play.

The other others

Besides Brunson and Bullock (15 points), the Mavs got excellent performances from Finney-Smith (14 points) and Maxi Kleber (14 points). 

Dallas though didn't get much from Spencer Dinwiddie (four points on 28.6 percent shooting) and three-point shooter Davis Bertans didn't attempt a single three. Frank Ntilikina even played 12 minutes but was a minus-eight and didn't make any impact.

Dinwiddie's poor play is troubling for Dallas, especially since he's such a key offensive weapon for the Mavs. But if the others of Dallas can continue their strong play, it could possibly make up for any more miscues from Dinwiddie.

And that's what's key for the Mavs heading into Game 4. Another total team effort could tie the series up. We know Doncic, who is averaging 32.2 points in the playoffs, is going to get his. It is now up to the others of Dallas to do their part again.

Suns vs. Mavericks schedule, TV channels

Here is the complete schedule for the second-round series between the Suns and Mavericks.

*if necessary