Behind 22 points from Devin Booker and strong supporting efforts from Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges, the Phoenix Suns began their season 1-0 on Wednesday night with a strong victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Chris Paul added in eight points as well, and as for the question of who would get the ball with the game on the line in crunch time, both the stars of Paul and Booker rose to the occasion. Up 101-100 with under a minute left, Paul came off a screen and dropped in a mid-range jumper.
After a defensive stop, Booker then put the game on ice. Isolated at the top of the key, he took a dribble to his right and buried a dagger to just about put the game on ice.
Bridges, Johnson, Cameron Payne, Langston Galloway and Deandre Ayton also put up double-digits in the win. Normally known as a knock down three-point shooter, Johnson showcased his ability to score off the dribble multiple times against the Dallas defense.
The supporting cast proved its worth, and although they didn’t have the best shooting nights, Paul and Booker put in the clutch buckets when the Suns needed them to knock out a team that is coming off a playoff appearance.
Up next, the Suns are at Sacramento on Saturday night.
Andrew Bell
