Jalen Brunson scored 28 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 103-94 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Brunson was the lead scorer for either team on a night which saw Chris Paul commit seven turnovers in the first half. 

After struggling defensively in the opening two games, the Mavericks turned the tables on Phoenix with a great defensive performance. One which saw them record 12 steals and four blocks, while forcing 17 turnovers. 

Dallas was very much living and dying with their three balls in the previous games, but they got back to basics on home soil, outscoring the Suns in the paint, 50-32. 

The Mavs outscored Phoenix 29-20 in the first quarter and this allowed them to hold at least a five-point lead for the rest of the game. The home team only scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter, but the damage had already been done and the win was secured. 

Luka Doncic had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists, while Reggie Bullock (15), Maxi Kleber (14) & Dorian Finney-Smith (14) all scored in double digits. Jae Crowder led the way for Phoenix with 19/7/5, while Devin Booker had 18 points and 6 assists. 

The Mavericks showed just how good a team they can be when more than just Doncic show up on the offensive end, but it was the great defence that really shone bright in this win. 

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