(Photo : (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)) DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 22: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball as Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the Dallas Mavericks defends within the first half at American Airlines Center on February 22, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Kevin Durant and the (33-22) Phoenix Suns fell to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks final evening. Despite final evening’s loss, one factor turned clear whereas watching these two groups, they could not be any extra related in playoff competition.
Both groups, with latest historical past relationship again to the 2022 Western Conference when the Mavericks defeated the Suns, discover themselves in the identical boat coming into Thursday’s matchup.
Both groups made vital trades to enhance their roster final season, with the Suns including Kevin Durant and the Mavericks buying and selling for Kyrie Irving. Also, each groups are only a recreation aside from one another within the standings, with the opportunity of transferring up throughout this closing stretch of the season.
More importantly, these groups might be a nightmare matchup for anybody within the Western Conference primarily based on the quantity of roster expertise.
Phoenix Suns: A Championship within the Valley?
The Suns have been shut to bringing their first championship to the Valley over the previous few seasons. They went to the finals again in 2021; nevertheless, they didn’t beat the inevitable champs within the Milwaukee Bucks.
Since then, the workforce fired their head coach, Monty Williams, and employed Frank Vogel together with transport Chris Paul to Washington for Bradley Beal.
This season, their champion expectations stay intact after a busy low season including key contributor and notable Bradley Beal; nevertheless, after a sluggish begin to the season stricken by accidents, the Suns have gotten again on monitor, profitable six of their final 9 video games.
Kevin Durant, who might go down as one of many best scorers in NBA historical past, continues to have a monster season. He is averaging 28.1 factors per recreation and Booker has additionally shined this season, averaging 27.7 factors.
A wholesome Bradley Beal, who has been coping with quite a few nagging accidents this season, is essential to their championship aspirations.
Beal has confirmed to be a big-time scorer all through his tenure in Washington and is aware of what it takes to compete when it is playoff time.
The Suns have one of many deepest rosters within the league, with guys like Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and Jusuf Nurkic taking part in essential minutes for playoff contenders all through their careers.
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Dallas Mavericks: Can the Stars Align?
The Mavericks have struggled to return to the Western Conference Finals regardless of making a visit there in 2022.
Still, Luka and the Mavs have maintained their spot within the Western Conference as a workforce to be careful for, and final evening’s win was a stern reminder.
Luka was sensational, dropping 41 factors and torching the Suns, a workforce he continues to torment all through his profession.
Irving has continued to be stable too, dropping 29 factors and sustaining his glorious play all through the season.
Like the Suns, they’re taking part in effectively at this level of the season, using excessive on a seven-game profitable streak.
They made some vital swings on the deadline, including Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets, which had been mandatory strikes in reinforcing their protection; and these strikes have already confirmed to repay for the Mavericks.
The rookie Derrick Lively II and Dante Exum have shined as key rotational gamers for the Mavericks.
It’s clear that whoever these two groups play come April might have their palms full, being it’s probably they may match up with any of the highest groups within the Western Conference come that point.
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