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Dallas Mavericks’ “Nonsense Tactics” and In-Game Violence Get Devin Booker’s Terse Response

Published 01/25/2024, 10:05 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns has become must-watch television in recent seasons. The animosity shared between the two franchises has been growing since the 2022 playoffs, and yesterday’s match between the two rivals lived up to the expectations.

Fans were treated to early entertainment as, in the first quarter, Grant Williams fouled Kevin Durant and stood over him. Jusuf Nurkić, displeased with Williams’ actions, pushed him away from Durant, sparking a scuffle between the two teams. Williams received a technical foul for instigating the altercation. After the game, Suns’ players, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, didn’t mince their words while talking about the altercation.

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During a post-match interview, Beal said, “It’s a playoff-type atmosphere, playoff-type team. We’re just competing at a higher level. It’s gonna be chippy, there’s gonna be some trash-talking. It’s part of the game.” However, teammate Devin Booker didn’t hold back while critiquing Mavs’ antics. He said, “I saw him step over him. Nonsense tactics. Trying to get involved in the game in a way we don’t. We’re out there just trying to hoop and play the right way. All the silly stuff is extra.”

Despite the Mavs’ attempts to disrupt the Suns’ star player, the Suns came out on top, defeating the Mavs by a comprehensive scoreline of 132-109. Devin Booker played a starring role in the victory, as he recorded an impressive 46-point performance. The victory over the Mavs means that the Suns are currently on a seven-game winning streak. However, given their recent improvement in performances, do the Suns have a realistic chance of winning the 2024 NBA championship?

Can the Suns finally end their long wait for an NBA title?

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The Phoenix Suns have never managed to win an NBA title in their 56-year history, despite possessing the likes of Charles Barkley, Steve Nash and Chris Paul. They hold the dubious record of the oldest franchise to never win the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. But could the likes of KD, Booker and Beal bring NBA glory to the city of Phoenix?

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With the likes of KD, Booker and Beal, the Suns are an offensive juggernaut. They have the 9th best offensive rating in the league, with a rating of 118.3. However, it is on the other end that the Suns have struggled massively. They have a defensive rating of 115.8, which is the 15th worst in the league. You might think that not bad, however, only two teams have ever won an NBA title with a defense which is ranked outside the top 15. While the Suns possess the quality to win the title on the offensive end, their sub-par defense may get exposed in the postseason.

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Can the Suns win the 2024 NBA title? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by:

Dushyant Singh

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Dushyant Singh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. His basketball script journey began in 2020 when he was captivated by the Los Angeles Lakers? triumphant NBA championship win. Before that he was merely dribbling and dunking as a boy next door.
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Edited by:

Ruth John