Dallas Mavericks shut down Devin Booker in Game 6: Can they replicate it in Game 7?

How did Dallas Mavericks slow down Devin Booker in Game 6?

The Mavs switched the matchups on Thursday as they put Reggie Bullock as the primary defender on Devin Booker, and flipped Dorian Finney-Smith onto Chris Paul. They changed the way they were playing Book's pick and rolls too. Dallas trapped Booker and recovered onto shooters. They increased their aggressiveness and flew around the floor in the impressive Game 6 victory.

Booker had eight points in the first quarter on three of four shooting before going three of 14 over the final three quarters. Doncic was more aggressive on those screens, and he did not let Booker turn the corner. The Mavericks superstar made a statement in the first quarter by poking the ball away from Booker off that exact action.

The Suns' guard struggled to make plays when the Mavericks brought two defenders. They trapped in the mid-range too and forced Booker to give the ball up. It resulted in bad passes and a stagnate Suns offense that just never got going.

Even when the 6’5 guard beat his defender off the dribble, somebody was there to step up and contest his shots. Frank Ntilikina and Dorian Finney-Smith were key in getting a hand in his face and forcing Booker out of his offensive rhythm.

The Mavericks were active and aggressive on Devin Booker in Game 6, and it resulted in a poor performance from the Suns' star, but can Dallas replicate the performance in Game 7?