Beverley picks Doncic, Mavs ahead of Game 7: 'The boy was cookin' me last year' / News - Basketnews.com

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Patrick Beverley expressed his admiration for Slovenian wunderkind Luka Doncic.

Ahead of vital Game 7 between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, Beverley was asked: "Who you got?"

Minnesota Timberwolves' defensive cornerstone was clear: "Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks".

"I got to go with Luka, who I faced last year. I got to, the boy was cookin' me. He has played in Game 7. Besides Chris Paul, I do not think anyone on the roster has played Game 7 (for the Suns). Obviously, JaVale McGee but no one for sure in the starting lineup. I have to go with Luka, he has been playing well and Dallas has been on a roll," Beverley spoke.

Last year, Mavs lost in the playoffs' first round against the Los Angeles Clippers with Beverley in the squad for the second consecutive season in seven games.

Doncic had great series, averaging 35.7 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.9 rebounds.

The 23-year-old Slovenian recorded 33 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals to help the Dallas Mavericks notch an easy 113-86 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night to even their Western Conference semifinal series at three wins apiece.

Doncic had his 5th playoff game with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, breaking a tie with Dirk Nowitzki for the most in Mavs postseason history. Nowitzki's 4 games came across 145 games in his playoff career while Luka needed just 22 to pass him.

Going into the final Game 7, the Dallas Mavericks superstar had only one goal on his mind.

"As long as we win, I'm good. The statistics really don't matter to me. If we win, it's amazing," Luka explained. "We have another game. We won this game on the defensive end. We still have another game, it's fun, it's playoffs, and we're going to give our everything."

"Just because of this team," Doncic told about the reasons to believe they can win in Phoenix. "I know the guys, the coaching staff. Just because of this team, we have the opportunity. This team is very special. These are great guys. We play hard and we help each other, so what's what gives me hope."

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