Phoenix Suns - Western Conference Round 1 Roundup
- Matt Elvy
- Jun 7, 2021
- 7 min read
Join us as we review the highs and lows of the of the 1st round series vs the Lakers, as well as previewing round 2 vs the Nuggets.
Series Record: 4-2
Games Played and Results:
W - 99 - 90 - Home
L - 102 - 109 - Home
L - 95 - 109 - Road
W - 100 - 92 - Road
W - 115 - 85 - Home
W - 133 - 100 - Road
Game 1:
The series opened with the 1st Playoff game in Phoenix since 2010 and the Phoenix Suns Arena (which is still looking for a sponsor) was absolutely rocking. It was so nice hearing the roaring crowd. People at the game said that there were a lot less Laker fans in attendance compared to a usual game between the teams - well done to resellers for only selling to Suns fans!
The game started a bit shaky with CP3 clearly telling the team to settle down a few minutes in to the game and that they did. The momentum was with the Suns all throughout the starting minutes of the game, then in the 2nd quarter, disaster. Chris Paul and Cam Johnson ran in to each other while chasing a rebound and Paul went straight to the floor writhing in pain.
CP3 would return to the game, but laboured throughout. The Suns held on to win, behind awesome performances from Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. You can read my full write-up here.
Game 2:
In game 2 the Suns would experience the fall-out of Chris Paul's injury. The Suns had game planned for Paul to be able to play, but at points he looked as though he could barely move his shoulder. The Lakers took advantage (and continued to in the next game as well), by leaving Paul open on the perimeter, which allowed his defender to blitz Devin Booker.
With CP3 struggling the team were unable to take good care of the ball finishing with 13 turnovers. Anthony Davis was also more engaged, leading the Lakers with 34 points, as they won 109-102.
Game 3:
The 1st game of the series in LA and the big question was whether Chris Paul would and should play. He did play, but it wasn't pretty. Though he was clearly in better shape than the previous game and a half, he still wasn't "Chris Paul".
Being the away team against the defending champs would never be an easy task. They were full of confidence in this one and as they built their lead, they also started showboating and getting in to the Suns' heads. Their bench were up on their feet, jumping around and dancing every time LeBron scored on Jae Crowder. It was frustrating to watch to say the least, as we were unable to respond and they beat us quite easily 109-95.
Game 4:
Though still not 100% Chris Paul would start this game again. Monty revealed that he was ready to bench Paul in this one, but he begged the Coach to trust him. It paid off perfectly for the Suns. The 2 day break had clearly given CP3's should time to heal up, as he had his best scoring game of the series, with 18 points, along with 9 assists.
He'd struggled throughout the 1st 3 games, but Jae Crowder joined the offensive party in this game, scoring 17 and it really helped open things up for the Suns. The Lakers had clearly adjusted for Deandre Ayton, going in to game 4 averaging 19.8 points, 13.5 rebounds on 80.9% from the field. This allowed our wings to be more open as well, giving them more space to operate on offense.
It was also the Lakers' turn to get bitten by the injury bug. Anthony Davis would land awkwardly after a lay-up attempt, straining his groin and leaving the game. The Suns applied pressure after this and it was all over for the Lakers. Suns win 100-92 and we would head back to Phoenix, with the series tied at 1 a-piece.
Game 5:
Game 5 is always the most important game of a series. Throughout the history of the 7-game series format, the team that wins game 5 has gone on to with the series 82.7% of the time. With attendance numbers raised to 16,000 (double what was allowed in games 1&2), the arena was rocking again.
Anthony Davis was out for the Lakers with the injured groin and the Suns absolutely thrashed them.
Booker came out the gate on fire scoring 18 points in the 1st quarter and the barrage continued in the 2nd quarter as the Suns would outscore the Lakers 32-10, going on a 19-2 scoring run at one point.
The Suns exposed the Lakers for what they are, a team with 2 Superstars, surrounded by a below average supporting cast. LeBron was clearly frustrated in this game, not getting back on D, after his teammates messed up time after time. Frank Vogel emptied the bench to open the 4th and LeBron would not stay on the bench to see the end of the game.
There was one scary moment, as CP3 would go down holding his shoulder again in the 3rd quarter, while he fought to box out Wes Matthews. He would go to the locker room for treatment and return to the bench to watch the end of the game - not that he was needed at the end. Booker finished with 30 and Cam Payne added 16, with the Suns winning 115-85.
Game 6:
If anyone ever questions Booker's status as a Superstar I will sit them down to watch this game. He was incredible and had clearly decided he'd had enough of playing the Lakers for this year.
For me this is the best game I've seen Booker play - I'm glad it was, as it's also the 1st 3am game I've sat up to watch since I was a teenager.
He shot out the game on fire, shooting 6 of 6 from downtown and 8 of 9 overall for 22 points. He had 33 by half-time and finished with a Playoff career high 47 points, a career high of 8 3-pointers made and a season high 11 rebounds.
Anthony Davis would start for the Lakers, but could only manage 5 minutes on the floor. The Lakers wouldn't go down without a fight like they did in game 5, at one point getting back to within 10 points. Booker's game and a hot shooting night from Crowder - 6 of 9 from 3, for 18 points, along with 12 assists from CP3, was too much and the Suns closed out the series in LA.
Superstar Watch:
Booker - 29.7 Points, 6.2 Rebounds, 5.0 Assists, 0.5 Steals, 48.8 FG%, 42.9 3PT FG%, 3.8 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 9.2 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, 7.7 Assists, 1.0 Steals 38.6 FG%, 20.0 3PT FG%, 1.5 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Deandre Ayton
How could it be anyone else? The man that had so many question marks around his upcoming performances, showed everyone that he can do exactly what we've been asking of him throughout the season.
As the Lakers focused all their defence on our perimeter guys, DA was able to take advantage and own Andre Drummond to the sound of 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and shot an incredible 79.6%. Drummond was so useless that he barley played in game 5 and didn't see the floor at all in game 6.
His stats did dip in the final 2 games, as we switched to a more perimeter-based offense and I think he could tell he wasn’t needed quite as much on offense, with the Lakers struggling in that area.
Over the 1st 4 games he averaged 19.8 points, 13.5 rebounds on 80.9% from the field. This put him in the NBA record books with some fantastic company.
In the last 35 years, he is 1 of only only 4 players with 75+ points and 50+ rebounds through first 4 career playoff games. The other 3 are, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing.
He is also the first player in NBA history to score at least 20 points on 70% shooting from the field in each of the first three games of his postseason career.
On top of all this, he played fantastic defence the whole series, no matter who he was matched up against.
Struggling Suns:
Dario Saric
Sorry Dario, but you struggled in this series. I love Dario, but he mightily struggles against long athletic teams and that's what the Lakers are up front.
Saric only saw floor time in 3 of the 6 games. He was the 2nd guy off the bench in games 1 & 2 and then saw garbage time in game 5. Monty ultimately gave his minutes to Kaminsky and played small ball with Craig or Crowder at the 5 spot.
He averaged just 11 minutes, 3.7 points and 1.7 rebounds.
Stat Line of the Week:
Devin Booker - Game 6
Booker smelt blood and went for the jugular in game 6. He exploded in to the 1st quarter shooting 6 of 6 from downtown and 8 of 9 overall for 22 points.
He ended the 1st half adding another 11 points to that total with 33 and ultimately finished the game with 47 points. This is a Playoff career high and he had an overall career high of 8 3-pointers made, plus a season high 11 rebounds.
Game stat line:
47 Points, 11 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 15/22 FGs (68.2%), 8/10 3PT FGs (80%).
Honourable mentions:
Deandre Ayton - Game 1
21 Points, 16 Rebounds (8 offensive), 1 Block, 10/11 FGs (90.9%)
Upcoming Games:
Western Conference Semi Finals Vs Denver Nuggets
Game 1 - Home - Monday Night/Tuesday Morning - 3am (08/06)
Game 2 - Home - Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning - 2:30am (10/06)
Game 3 - Away - Friday Night/Saturday Morning - 3am (12/06)
Game 4 - Away - Sunday Night/Monday Morning - 1am (14/06)
Game 5* - Home - Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning - TBD
Game 6* - Away - Thursday Night/Friday Morning - TBD
Game 7* - Home - Sunday Night/Monday Morning - TBD
*If Necessary
I'm really looking forward to this series. I'll put it out there. I see the Suns winning this one in 6 games.
Denver have the MVP (not announced yet, but we all know it'll be him) in Nikola Jokic. They also have an improving Michael Porter Jr and defensive forward Aaron Gordon.
Thanks to injuries they are thin at the guard spot and the Suns can truly take advantage of those match-ups, to the point where I wouldn't be surprised if Gordon ends up guarding Booker.
I hope that Ayton can slow down Jokic, because he's their engine. I feel we win most of the other match-ups.
You can view our full preview from this week's Go On My Suns! with Ben (@nuggetsbenji) here:
Any Other Business:
ENJOY ROUND 2!
Go On My Suns!
As mentioned this past Friday we spoke to @nuggetsbenji to preview the Denver series.
You can catch episode 13 in full here on Instagram.
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