Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns Box Score on Nov 17, 2021

Jae Crowder broke a tie by sinking two free throws with 2:34 remaining and Deandre Ayton slammed home a Chris Paul assist 67 seconds later, helping the host Phoenix Suns outfinish the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks for a 105-98 victory Wednesday night.

The Suns earned their 10th consecutive win while Dallas lost for just the second time in seven games.

Doncic was scratched from the lineup during the day when the Mavericks made a decision to give his sore left knee and ankle some time to heal. He is unlikely to play in the rematch with the Suns on Friday.

The tightly contested matchup had 19 lead changes, including six after a Devin Booker layup put Phoenix in front 87-86 with 5:32 remaining.

Jalen Brunson's layup with 2:42 to go produced the game's seventh and final tie, after which Crowder ignited the Suns' fast finish after getting fouled by Kristaps Porzingis on a shot attempt.

Booker's 3-pointer with 50.2 seconds remaining iced the victory.

Booker led six Suns in double figures with 24 points on a night when Phoenix overcame 50 percent 3-point shooting by the Mavericks and a 48-39 deficit in points off threes.

Ayton finished with a game-high-tying 13 rebounds to go with 19 points, while Paul contributed a game-high 14 assists with just seven points.

Crowder (14 points), Landry Shamet (11), Mikal Bridges (10) and JaVale McGee (10) also scored in double figures for the Suns, who trailed by as many as eight points in the third quarter.

Tim Hardaway Jr. had a team-high 22 points and Porzingis 21 for the Mavericks.

Hardaway hit three of Dallas' 16 3-pointers, as did Frank Ntilikina, who finished with 13 points off the bench, and Dorian Finney-Smith, who did all his scoring from beyond the arc.

Dwight Powell matched Ayton's rebound total with 13 to pace the Mavericks, while Brunson added 18 points and Trey Burke had 10. Brunson contributed nine rebounds and a team-high nine assists.

--Field Level Media