Despite playing with a short-handed roster, the Dallas Mavericks gave Phoenix all it could handle before the Suns escaped with a hard-fought 112-107 victory on Wednesday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center, according to the NBA.

It was the third game in four nights for the Mavs as they fell to 25-55 on the season going into Friday’s game in San Antonio. The Suns, meanwhile, increased their record to 44-36 and clinched the No. 7 seed -- the top spot in the upcoming play-in tournament – in the Western Conference.

John Poulakidas led the Mavs with a career-high 23 points in 29 minutes. The rookie from Yale was 8-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point land.

Also for the Mavs, Marvin Bagley III finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, Max Christie scoffed 18 points, Moussas Cisse had 11 points and nine rebounds. In addition, rookie Cooper Flagg struggled with his offense as he finished with just 11 points on 4-of-19 shooting, however he did collect 12 rebounds and six assists.

The Suns were led by Devin Booker (37 points, five rebounds, nine assists), Dillon Brooks (28 points, five boards), Royce O’Neale (14 points) and Collin Gillespie (13 points).

Phoenix led by 16 points in the second half before the Mavs put no their rally caps and kept digging and digging until a tip-in by Moussa Cisse chopped Dallas’ deficit to 107-104 with 1:33 left. Booker’s three-pointer put the Suns ahead, 110-104, but Poulakidas countered with his fifth three-pointer to get the Mavs within 110-107 of the Suns with 1:08 left.