Suns Put the Cavs Away in Overtime
- Matt Elvy
- May 5, 2021
- 3 min read
They need overtime to do it, but Phoenix defeat the Cleveland Cavalier 134 - 118.
Despite the difference in their winning records, the Suns had to fight for this victory. The game seemed to be taking the usual Suns route where the opponent stays with us in the 1st half and then we take off in the 2nd half. In this game dodgy defense in the 1st half and poor 3 point shooting was the cause for this. We were able to gain an 11 point lead in the 3rd quarter, but the Cavs wouldn't lay down for Phoenix.
The Suns couldn't hit a shot in the last few minutes of the 3rd quarter and the Cavs took advantage taking the ball to the hoop and managing to draw fouls and get to the free throw line.
The start of the 4th quarter was very much like the end of the 3rd, with Cavs rookie Isaac Okoro piling on points, en route to a career night with 32 points. He was 5 of 5 for 11 points in the 4th.
With the Cavs comeback complete, the end of the 4th quarter came down to the last possession. The ball was put in Booker's hands and it didn't go well. The planned play either completely broke down or there simply wasn't a planned play at all. Booker put his head down, dribbled across the court to the right corner where Bridges was standing, so had to move. Book then proceeded to throw up a fadeaway 3-pointer, with 3 Cavs player draped all over him. It was a very confusing play to say the least.
Overtime was a completely different affair though and the team came alive, especially on the defensive end. They simply decided that the Cavs were not going to score. Phoenix held Cleveland to 4 points and only 1 field goal for the whole overtime period. The Cavs ended up shooting 1 for 9, whereas the Suns shot 8 for 10, including 4 for 4 from downtown. Why they couldn't have done this at the end of regulation though, is a question I don't have the answer for. At the end of the day a win is a win.
Now on to the rest of the positives from the game.
Fresh off of receiving the Western Conference Player of the Week award, Booker entered the game steaming hot. He clearly wanted to get this game over and done with a quickly as possible, posing 15 points on 6 for 11 shooting in just the 1st quarter. Apart from that final play of the 4th, Booker was brilliant all night long, getting to his spots with ease, leaking out on fast breaks and setting up his teammates. The only blemish is he is still in a shooting funk from 3, going 1 for 6. He finished the game with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
His fellow All-Star in the backcourt Chris Paul, also had a fantastic night. The Point God had 23 points, 6 rebounds, 16 assists, 4 steals and 0 turnovers, with all his tricks on display. Mid-range jumpers, trick passes and controlling the tempo right when we needed it.
Mikal Bridges had an odd night. You wouldn't have known he was playing in the 1st half and he struggled to keep Okoro in check all night. However, throughout the 2nd half and overtime, he was magical. Over those final periods he shot 9 for 13 overall and 4 for 5 from downtown, essentially being our offensive engine. He finished with 22 points, all coming in that 2nd half and OT, he also added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
Finally, Deandre Ayton was great on defense. He tied his career high with 5 blocks and was key in that defensive display in overtime. he also had the reaction of the night after passing to a cutting Cam Johnson, who threw down one of the nastiest dunks of his career:
Our next game is tonight in Atlanta to face the Trae Young and the Hawks. You'll be able to watch it live at 1:00am on Sky Sports.
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