Preview: Slowing down Durant is the Mavs' goal against the Suns

When they host Phoenix at American Airlines Center on Friday at 6:30 p.m., the Dallas Mavericks will have the daunting task of trying to contain Suns all-world forward Kevin Durant.

Durant is seventh in the NBA with 27.8 points per game, and he's shooting a solid 55.1 percent from the field and a very solid 42 percent from behind the three-point stripe. In other words: he goes full throttle.

“He’s one of the best players in the world,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “Winning a gold medal and seeing what he does for the Suns is what he does. So he plays at a high level.”

So how can the Mavs slow down one of Durant's super talents?

“You just try to make it difficult and you take your hat off when he makes the shot,” Kidd said. “But if you give him (free throws), your night will just be a longer night for you. So we just have to step up and make it difficult for him.”

When the Suns defeated the Mavs 114-102 in Phoenix on October 26, Durant finished the game with a team-high 31 points and nine rebounds. He was also 10 of 21 from the field, 4 of 8 from downtown and 7 of 9 from the free throw line.

“He’s one of the greatest to ever do it,” said forward Naji Marshall. “He is still at a high level today.”

Now in his 18th year^Th SThis season, the 36-year-old Durant was named to the All-Star team 14 times. Marshall believes it will take a “team effort” to unseat the University of Texas ex.

Marshall said, “Every kid that makes it to the NBA dreams of being able to play that long and be that productive.”

The Mavs simply don't want Durant to be that productive on Friday.

Here's some more information about Friday's game between the Mavs and Suns.

*The Suns are currently tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors and have the best record in the Western Conference at 7-1. And due to the tiebreaker system, the No. 1 seed is currently owned by Phoenix. This 7-1 record is also the second-best record in the NBA behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have a perfect 9-0 record.

*This is the finale of a season-high five tied home games for the Mavs before they begin a three-game road trip in Denver on Sunday. The road trip also includes a game on Tuesday in San Francisco against the Golden State Warriors and a game on November 14th in Utah before the Mavs return home on November 16th against San Antonio.

*This is a one-game trip only for the Suns before they return home to entertain the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. The Suns then embark on a four-game road trip, playing at Utah on Tuesday, Sacramento on Wednesday, Oklahoma City on November 15th and Minnesota on November 17th.

*The Mavs earned an impressive 119-99 win over Chicago on Wednesday, as they posted a season-high 33 assists and held the Bulls to just 28.6 percent shooting (12 of 42) from three-point range .

*Luka Dončić scHe scored 40 points – his highest of the season – as the Mavs lost 114-102 in Phoenix on Oct. 26. The Mavs committed 28 fouls in this game, which led to the Suns attempting 37 free throws. Phoenix gave away 28 freebies in this contest. Also in this game, Suns center Jusuf Nurkic collected 18 points and 14 rebounds, while the Mavs got 22 points from Kyrie Irving and 19 points from Klay Thompson.

*Phoenix comes to Dallas on a six-game winning streak. The Suns' only loss this season came in the second game of the season, when they traveled to Los Angeles and were defeated by the Lakers 123-116. In this game, Phoenix shot 51.2 percent from the field, 45.9 percent from three-point range and also provided a whopping 35 assists. At one point in the first half, the Suns converted nine three-pointers in a row.

*Mavs guard Jaden Hardy scored 11 points in just 13 minutes in Wednesday's win over Chicago. He was also 3 of 7 from three-point land. “He looks good,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Hopefully he can make up for it in a positive way because we're going to need him because of some of the injuries we've had. I thought he had a great look that he knocked out, and we're going to need that (Friday) night.”

*Mavs forward PJ Washington (right knee sprain), center Dereck Lively II (right shoulder sprain) and guard Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) will miss Friday's game, while forward Maxi Kleber (right hamstring sprain) will miss Friday's game. is classified as questionable.

PHOENIX SUNS (7-1) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (5-3)

When: 6:30 p.m., Friday

Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: KFAA-29, ESPN, MavsTV Stream

Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @DwainPrice