DALLAS — You see it when Jason Kidd has to turn to Maxi Kleber, knowing every minute the score doesn’t drift away from his Mavericks is a win.
You hear it when the oversized speakers on American Airlines Center’s rims confirm what’s on the stat sheet, the clangs sounding more and more painful as the game wears on.
It’s evident when Luka Doncic has to be a starred Super Mario for his team to have a chance, and the second that power wears off, he is worn, tired and looking to the referees for refuge.
The Dallas Mavericks have gone further than even they expected, which is an equal indictment of the Phoenix Suns as it is praise of Kidd’s team.