The Phoenix Suns gave a loud bounce-back performance tonight by beating the LA Clippers 123-109. Chris Paul gained retribution over referee Scott Foster as the 1-1 series heads back to LA for Game 3.
Phoenix showed why betting odds consider them a true NBA championship contender. What went right for the Suns in Game 2? How can the Clippers respond in Game 3?
Suns-Clippers Game 2: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker Lead Phoenix to a Commanding Victory
Suns-Clippers: Game 2 Recap
Both teams picked up right where they left off in the hotly-contested Game 1 by playing with great intensity. Phoenix committed six turnovers in the first quarter; the Clippers used those, along with some hot three-point shooting, to take a five-point lead at the end of the quarter. Kevin Durant hit a couple of midrange jumpers, but Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard harassed him into turnovers and two airballs.
Russ SWATS KD 🍿 pic.twitter.com/uqLDtu4c5p
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2023
The Clippers started the second quarter strong with dribble penetration. Westbrook and Norman Powell repeatedly got to the rim and either finished or set up open three-point shooters. The Suns’ perimeter players couldn’t stop the rim assaults, and Deandre Ayton could not deter the Clippers at the rim.
KAWHI FREAKIN' LEONARD pic.twitter.com/0Kf8iMQvTv
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 19, 2023
LA’s three-point shooting abandoned them as Durant increased his aggression. He led Phoenix with eight points during a four-minute run that tied the game at the end of the second quarter.
The Phoenix onslaught continued in the third quarter as Devin Booker started to heat up. LA seemed a step slow as the Phoenix offense resembled the juggernaut league observers predicted they’d become after trading for Durant. Ayton picked up his fourth foul with 7:39 left in the third, but Phoenix limited their turnovers and overcame his absence. They entered the fourth with a 92-87 lead.
Rising up! pic.twitter.com/kNAFBighDY
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 19, 2023
The fourth quarter was more of the same. The non-Leonard Clippers were unable to score consistently, while Paul started to make an impact on the game to supplement Booker’s still-hot shooting. The Clippers never seriously threatened as Phoenix pulled away for a convincing win.
Game 3 Adjustments for the Suns
For all of Phoenix’s talent, they ran into a math problem in Game 1; the Clippers made four more threes on 12 more attempts. The Suns were able to overcome the disparity thanks to Torrey Craig shooting 5-7 from three in Game 2. Craig shot 39.5% from three this season but is at just 34.7% for his career, and his shooting might regress on the road.
Torrey ties his playoff career-high with 5 triples! 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/tbE4P3GAfB
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 19, 2023
Phoenix also struggled to contain the Clippers’ drives at times in Game 2. Going small when Ayton sits could boost their three-point shooting and their perimeter defense. Playing Durant at center instead of Bismack Biyombo or Jock Landale would add another shooter to the floor, and playing five out could break LA’s defense. Phoenix isn’t known for switching on defense, but that lineup should give Monty Williams the courage to attempt the scheme.
Game 3 Adjustments for the Clippers
The Clippers have to be pleased with their 1-1 road split without Paul George, but there is still low-hanging fruit for Tyronn Lue. Terance Mann is almost certainly one of LA’s five best players. Nicolas Batum was a non-factor in this game, and outside of a few bright moments in the first half, Powell and Eric Gordon made little impact. Mann is a better on-ball defender than all three, well-equipped to fight through screens and contest pull-ups. He’s their best option on either Booker or Paul and has to play more than the 25 minutes he logged in Game 2.
Lue could also consider switching their defensive strategy. The Clippers started the game with Ivica Zubac “guarding” Craig by ignoring him to help in the paint, with Leonard starting on Ayton. Zubac was unable to recover to bother Craig’s shot, and he burned the strategy. Lue might consider starting Zubac on Ayton and have him come out to the three-point line to defend Phoenix’s myriad number of pick-and-rolls. Craig’s defender can help contest Ayton in the paint and more ably recover to the three-point line than Zubac.
This strategy would force Ayton to either beat LA as a passer (he averaged just 1.7 assists/game this year) or as a dominating scorer. Ayton doesn’t get to the rim much, taking just 31.3% of his shots within three feet of the hoop. That’s lower than Mann, Josh Hart, Jalen Williams, and his backups Landale and Biyombo. Lue should be confident in letting Phoenix try to win the game on the back of midrange jumpers from Ayton.
