Phoenix Suns change starting lineup against Dallas Mavericks

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns will field the following starting lineup against the Dallas Mavericks:

Tyus Jones
Devin Booker
Ryan Dunn
Kevin Durant
Yusuf Nurkic

The Suns will not be able to face Bradley Beal tonight due to an elbow injury. Dunn – Phoenix's first-round pick – will get the nod.

Jones, Booker, Durant and Nurkic are the Suns' other typical starters.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said there is still plenty of room for improvement on offense after Phoenix led by as many as 22.

“Yes, I think that's right and we're trying to get more of the beginning and less of the end. It's basketball, it's never easy, it's never pretty and it's never perfect. I think sometimes we're no different than any other team when our defense is good. I think that often,” said Budenholzer.

“It helps our offense, helps us get into the game, get into spaces and actions quickly against defenses that aren't set. I think if we take the ball out of the net or foul too much, we're going to…” If we turn it around and lead to easy baskets, I have a big impact on the second and third. There's room for improvement on those possessions “When we stagnate and are not as good as we need to be.”

The Suns are 1-1 and face a Mavericks team tonight that is 1-0.

“Obviously I have a lot of respect for Klay (Thompson) and his ability to shoot, get hot and shoot quickly without dribbling. So I think you know where he is, even though you know that (Luka) Dončić and (Kyrie) Irving will have a lot of possession. I'm sure that's their formula, trying to lose sight of one, lose touch with (Klay) Thompson while they have two great players that you know are hounding the defense, so “You have to somehow be able to do anything against them,” Budenholzer said of Dallas.

Opening tip is at 7:00 p.m.

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