MAVERICKS 104, SUNS 94
DALLAS -- Luka Doncic had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Dallas turned up the defensive pressure to get back in their Western Conference semifinal series with Phoenix.
The Mavericks spoiled Chris Paul's 37th birthday, forcing the 17-year pro into his most turnovers in any half of a playoff game with seven before the break.
Dallas cut the Suns' series lead to 2-1 and ended an 11-game losing streak against Phoenix, regular season included. Game 4 is Sunday in Dallas.
Paul didn't have any more turnovers after halftime, but the Suns finally struggled with their shooting when they weren't turning it over. Phoenix shot 45%, ending a run of at least 50% shooting in the playoffs at eight games.
Doncic just missed a triple-double with nine assists, while Jalen Brunson led Dallas with 28 points after struggling in the two losses in Phoenix when Doncic averaged 40 points but didn't get enough help.
Jae Crowder scored 19 for Phoenix, but the Mavericks limited the impacted of Devin Booker in much the same way they did Paul. Booker scored 18 but was just 2 of 7 inside the three-point line, and Paul had 12 on just nine shots (five made).
A scrambling Dallas defense was the reason, starting from the opening tip with Reggie Bullock shadowing Paul everywhere. The Mavericks stepped into passing lanes, including when Spencer Dinwiddie tiptoed along the sideline after a steal for a layup in transition.
Paul had six turnovers in the first 16 minutes, including one when he simply lost the ball out bounds trying to work his way to the basket. The only Dallas turnover before halftime was an offensive foul on Doncic, who disliked the call enough to mimic what he thought were flopping movements by Paul.
Doncic had to leave with his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter, and the Suns cut an 18-point deficit earlier in the second half to nine just after he came back.
Brunson answered with free throws to get the lead back to double digits, and the Mavericks got enough stops in their best defensive effort of the series to stay comfortably in front.
The lead was eight when Doncic kept Crowder from getting a steal near midcourt with a minute remaining, leading to a corner three-pointer with from Bullock, who scored 15. He and Dorian Finney-Smith, who scored 14, had four three-pointers each.
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) argues a call during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) drives to the basket past Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, right, during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) passes the ball in front of Dallas Mavericks guard Frank Ntilikina (21) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)