How the Suns defend Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is the key to Game 5

How Luka Doncic can lead the Dallas Mavericks to victory even if Suns let him go 1-on-1

Doncic is one of the five best players in the world right now, so challenging him is dangerous. No team wants to face the Mavs in a seven-game playoff series, and the Suns are dreading a best-of-three scenario against the 23-year-old superstar. Luka can impact the game in so many ways, and he is just impossible to guard.

If the Suns sell out to stop his supporting cast, Doncic needs to make Phoenix pay. He must attack repeatedly and collect easy buckets while forcing Chris Paul or Devin Booker to guard him. Luka wants to punish those two players at the basket as he tries to draw fouls on the Suns' stars. Getting CP3 in foul trouble again would be a massive boost for Dallas.

Doncic would have to score 40-plus if the Suns go to this strategy, and he must trust his teammates to do more. Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie would have to make plays and contribute. Dallas is going to need at least 110 points to win Game 5, and Luka cannot score them all.

Number 77 needs to have the gas to score in the fourth if they sell out to stop his teammates. Never doubt Luka, especially in the pressure moments, but it would not be easy with as much as Phoenix could make him work on both ends of the floor.

Can Luka Doncic have a magical night that puts Dallas on the brink of the Western Conference Finals? Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns are going to play better on their home floor. Can the Mavericks find a way to win anyway? It will be fascinating to watch, so please tune in and enjoy the game.