The Dallas Mavericks dispatched the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the opening round after getting Luka Doncic back from a calf strain. As their reward, they advance to the West semifinal round and get a meeting with the top-ranked Phoenix Suns, who ousted the New Orleans Pelicans in six games. Making matters worse for the Mavs: They’ve lost nine consecutive times against Phoenix. Doncic and the Mavericks will try to stun the favored Suns, beginning Monday in Game 1. The Suns take a 96-79 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Suns shot 50 percent from the field or better in all six games against the Pelicans. Chris Paul posted 22.3 points and 11.3 assists per game while Devin Booker, who missed three games with a hamstring strain, averaged a team-high 23 points in the three games he did play. Doncic, meanwhile, earned the first playoff series win of his career.
For more on the series, here are three keys to the matchup as well as how to watch Game 1. Follow below for all the real-time updates between the Suns and Mavericks in the West semifinal opener.