3 takeaways from Dallas Mavericks Game 5 playoff loss to Suns

Takeaway from Dallas Mavericks Game 5 playoff loss to Suns: 1. Offense

The Mavericks scored just 80 points in the pivotal Game 5. The 14-point third quarter was the low point, but Dallas could not get their offense going for the final three quarters. Luka Doncic made his first three field goals, and Dorian Finney-Smith had two first quarters triples as the Mavericks scored 26 in the opening period before just 54 points over the final 36 minutes.

Dallas made just eight of their 32 3-point attempts as the Mavericks shot 38.0 percent on their 71 field goal attempts in Game 5. It was poor shooting and shot selection that sunk the Mavericks on Tuesday night.

When the Mavs got into the paint, they created open looks, but it was difficult to get there in Phoenix. Luka Doncic and the Mavs settled for too many pull-up threes, and they need to stay aggressive in Game 6.

Luka had 28 points and Jalen Brunson scored 21, but nobody else got going for Dallas. Davis Bertans had ten off the bench, but he cannot be the team’s third-leading scorer if they want to win another game this season. The Mavericks need contributions from Dorian Finney-Smith, Reggie Bullock, and Maxi Kleber on that end of the floor too.

It was a night to forget for the Dallas Mavericks, and they need to win two straight to advance to the Western Conference Finals. That will not be easy against the Phoenix Suns, but do not count Dallas out yet.