Monty Williams on Devin Booker’s 28 Point Performance in Game 5: ‘He’s Just Getting to His Spots’
Devin Booker rose to the occasion in Game 5 to deliver the Suns a dominant 110-80 win and a resounding 3-2 lead heading back to Dallas for Game 6.
Booker dropped 28 points, seven rebounds, and two assists on 11-20 shooting from the field. The big-time performance from D-Book was needed after Phoenix lost its two outings while looking completely out of sorts, losing its identity it’s worked all year to build.
“He’s just getting to his spots,” Coach Monty Williams said of Booker, per ArizonaSports. “There were a few times in pick-and-roll where he would get to his spot and raise up. Book has shotmaking ability that’s unique to very few people and in those moments when we need him to settle us down, sometimes it’s scoring that can settle you down.”
Booker scored 12 points and provided constant pressure in the first quarter, making sure Phoenix stayed in the game while the Suns fought through their persistent defensive issues rearing their head. Going into the second quarter, a passionate speech from Williams inspired the Suns to ratchet up their energy levels for the pivotal Game 5, allowing for a relentless effort that helped the Suns relearn why they were great again.
The three-time All-Star continued his onslaught of the Mavericks’ defense while his teammates played inspired basketball, finishing the second quarter with a +/- of + 11. That constant energy from the first 24 minutes of play manifested itself in the third quarter where the Suns outscored the Mavericks 33-14, including a 17-0 run to give Phoenic a 22-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
Booker added another 12 points in the third quarter, finishing with a +30 rating through the second and third frame. Phoenix was able finally able to mesh their lockdown defense and hit Dallas with a devastating landslide of offensive pressure to take the Mavericks out of the game..
“We study film. Coach is coming in with the adjustments, and we make ’em, and we follow ’em,” Booker said. “We pride ourselves on the defensive end all year. I think that’s when we’re at our best. When we’re not taking the ball out of the hoop and playing a slower-paced game. We like getting stops, getting out in transition because we have a lot of athletes, a lot of people that can make plays for each other.”
Booker has now scored 840 points in 30 career playoff games after Game 5. The three-time All-Star is one of 18 players in NBA history with at least 800 points in his first 30 playoff games. Booker joins LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Donovan Mitchell among active players to accomplish the feat.
Phoenix will look to close out their second-round series with Dallas on Thursday.
