Chris Paul and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns are attempting to return to the Finals and secure their first championship rings.
If they are going to do that, they’ll have to figure out how to get past the Dallas Mavericks.
Their current series will be decided on Sunday in a must-see Game 7.
Obviously, whoever wins that game will be moving onto the Western Conference Finals.
But the Suns don’t have much of a chance to make WCF if Paul and Booker play as they did on Thursday night.
Rough night for the best backcourt in the NBA.
CP: 4 baskets, 5 turnovers
Book: 6 baskets, 8 turnovers pic.twitter.com/tSI37V3qnu— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 13, 2022
During Game 6, Paul and Booker were completely silenced by the Mavericks.
Paul secured 4 buckets and 5 turnovers while Booker put up 6 baskets and 8 turnovers.
This is becoming a troubling pattern for these two players when facing off against Dallas.
Will it happen again on Sunday?
No Paul, No Booker, No Problem (For Dallas)
The Mavericks have been able to slow the Suns better than any other team all season long.
A huge part of that is their ability to limit both Paul and Booker.
This was on display again on Thursday night, as the Mavs were able to severely shut down both players.
Without Paul and Booker making great shots, the Suns really fall apart.
Both of these players are supremely important for the team’s offense.
The turnovers are also hurting the Suns in a major way.
When Paul and Booker aren’t scoring a lot and are giving up turnovers, Phoenix just doesn’t stand a chance.
Surprisingly, the Mavericks have put both Paul and Booker in this situation multiple times during this series.
One would think the two stars and their coaching staff would figure out a way to overcome Dallas’ insistence on shutting them down.
Yet, here we are about to face Game 7.
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