The Torrid Suns remain “interesting” against the Mavs and go 8-1

On this occasion, center Jusuf Nurkic needed five points in the final 58 seconds – including the free throw with 0.8 seconds on the clock – and Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic’s attempt from the halfcourt logo.

Doncic’s soaring 38-foot throw failed, and the Suns escaped American Airlines Center with a 114-113 victory on Friday night.

The Suns improved to 8-1 overall and 7-0 in games within five points in the final five minutes. The Suns extended their winning streak to seven games, with Phoenix’s opponent having the ball on the last possession and a chance to tie or take the lead in the last three games.

“A win is a win, man,” said Nurkic, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds, including a putback dunk and another offensive board with 31 seconds left before drawing the foul and sending him to the line for the winner . “I don’t really care if it is [by] one point or 35. As long as you keep winning, that’s great, because that’s the best way to learn. Not because of the losses. But it’s also good for the fans. You bet, all of that, so good luck figuring out how we’re going to do that.”

Phoenix is ​​tied for first place in the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the two teams have taken completely different paths to their 8-1 record. According to ESPN Research, the Suns have the second-lowest point differential of any team in NBA history that has won at least eight of their first nine games and has outscored their opponents by a total of 30 points. The Thunder are the first team to win eight of their first nine games by double-digit margins.

The 1997-98 Atlanta Hawks and 2001-02 Milwaukee Bucks are the only other teams in NBA history to record seven wins in their first nine games of the season. The Suns have outscored their opponents by 29 points in 32 crucial minutes this season.

“We keep it interesting to say the least,” said Suns point guard Tyus Jones, who had 17 points and 5 assists against the Mavs.

“Man, it’s just like we can’t avoid them right now,” Suns star Kevin Durant said of games that come down to the last second. “It’s a good exercise for us to understand how difficult it is to play in this environment. Close away games and things like that are good for us at the start of the season. Playing against a team that has proven itself and made it to the final. “They did it.” They also have big ambitions for their team, so it was a good win for us.”

The Suns, the league’s worst fourth-quarter team during a disappointing 49-win season last season, jumped out to a double-digit first-half lead in Dallas but had to overcome a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Durant finished the game with a team-high 26 points, highlighted by two lofted 3-pointers that helped the Suns stay within striking distance down the stretch, while Kyrie Irving (29 points) had a high-scoring three-point shot consecutive possessions scored. This 79-second sequence reminded Durant of the opening games the former Brooklyn Nets teammates played against each other while recovering from his Achilles tendon injury during the 2020 offseason.

“It brought back a lot of memories,” Durant said. “I miss being around him, so it’s always good to compete against him.”

It was the second time this season that Durant’s Suns defeated Irving’s Mavs. Phoenix’s 114-102 home win over the Mavs on Oct. 26 is the Suns’ only win decided by more than six points.

“We don’t expect to be in these situations every game, but to be honest, the more the merrier,” said Durant, who leads the league with 35 clutch points. “Because that’s usually how it is in the playoffs. That’s usually how it is at the end of the season when you’re trying to get yourself into a good starting position. So the safer we feel in such situations, the better.” will be.