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

The Dallas Mavericks dominated the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 to force a decisive game on Sunday. They won every quarter and got a historic performance from superstar Luka Doncic, but it was their defense that ruled the day for Dallas.

The Suns scored a season-low 86 points in Game 6, and it was the third straight contest in Dallas where the Mavericks dominated Phoenix with defense. The team with the best record in the NBA has scored just 93.7 points per game on the road in this series. Chris Paul has been a virtual non-factor in the last four games, and the Mavs even shut down Suns star Devin Booker in Game 6.

How did they slow down the three-time All-Star and limit the Suns to a season-low scoring total? Is that performance replicable in Sunday’s Game 7? Here is a closer look at what Dallas is doing and how the Suns might adjust in the decisive contest.

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

Dallas has slowed down CP3 by forcing him to defend on the other end and have kept him from getting to his spots. It has not been so easy against Devin Booker.

In the first five games of this series, Book averaged 26.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds on 47.9 percent shooting from the field. The Suns forced Luka Doncic to defend pick and rolls, and Booker was exploiting his drop coverage.

In Game 6, Booker had 19 points on six of 17 shooting from the field to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, and a game-high eight turnovers. The Dallas Mavericks made some smart adjustments to slow down the 6’5 guard, and it was a key piece of their Game 6 victory.

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?

Can the Dallas Mavericks limit Devin Booker and the Suns in Game 7?

Expect head coach Jason Kidd and the Mavs to keep up the aggression on Booker in Game 7. They will continue to trap him and force the Suns' role players to make plays. Dallas will be flying around the floor on the defensive end and looking to keep a lid on Phoenix’s high-powered offense.

Booker is the best first-quarter scorer in the NBA, and making tough shots is what star players do. Expect the three-time All-Star to make a few difficult attempts early on Sunday, and the Phoenix crowd will provide their star with plenty of energy. Book will play better in Game 7, but forcing him to make tough shots should be the goal for Dallas.

The Mavericks are going to try to force Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and the rest of the Suns' role players to defeat them in Game 7. They are going to keep trapping Devin Booker and going at Chris Paul on the defensive end of the floor. Can the Suns' supporting pieces step up? Will Phoenix get superstar performances from their backcourt duo?

If the Dallas Mavericks can limit both Devin Booker and Chris Paul, they like their chances of winning Game 7 and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. Can they make it happen? Tune in on Sunday and enjoy the game.