After the Phoenix Suns lost to the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas, a frustrated Devin Booker strongly spoke about the team’s struggles on defense.
The Suns have lost three straight games and are now below .500 (14-15).
“Just poor rotations,” Booker said. “Poor game-plan discipline. When we do what we’re supposed to do out there, it works. Then as the game goes on, we just lose focus.”
The Suns lost to the Mavericks by a final score of 128-114. Dallas outscored Phoenix 36-24 in the first quarter and 37-22 in the fourth quarter.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns Updates
“One slip-up will leave an open shooter,” Booker said. “That’s all it takes in the NBA.”
Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic torched the Suns for 50 points. Meanwhile, Derrick Jones Jr. had 23 points, Dereck Lively II had 20 and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18.
“We just have to get it together,” Booker said. “And that’s on me. That’s on Coach. That’s on KD, Eric, all the leaders that we have in here to make sure that we’re more prepared when we come play.”
Booker put up 20 points and 10 assists against the Mavericks while shooting 6-of-14 from the field, 1-of-4 from beyond the arc and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. The three-time All-Star had three turnovers in 40 minutes and finished with a plus-minus of -18.
The Suns entered the season with the third-best odds to win the title. However, Phoenix looks like a play-in team right now. The club is 16th in the NBA in points per game and 15th in points per game allowed.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns Updates
For his part, Booker is averaging 27.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists on the season while shooting 47.3% overall, 36.6% from 3 and 88.2% from the foul line.
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