Phoenix Suns are last in NBA Playoffs in bench production. Is Cameron Payne the answer?

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DENVER – Cameron Payne’s low back injury hindered him from doing more than just playing basketball.

“Side-to-side movement was still hurting me,” Payne said. “Sleeping in the bed was hurting.”

Payne missed Phoenix’s final regular season game and the first four of the first round against Clippers before returning for the Game 5 closeout victory.

He only played four minutes in the 136-130 win, but Payne came out of the game fine and is looking to help the Suns continue their postseason run. The Suns face No. 1 seed Denver in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Saturday at Ball Arena.

“I’m just ready to get back out there and do whatever I can help our team get to the next round,” Payne said.

The Suns could use a scoring jolt off the bench as they only averaged 14.4 bench points in the five games against the Clippers. That’s the lowest average of any team in postseason play.

Phoenix’s starters are averaging 107.6 points per game in the playoffs, the best of any team’s starting unit in postseason play.

Payne averaged 10.3 points in the regular season as he only played 48 of the team’s 82 games due to injuries. He hurt his back on a hard fall to the floor April 7 at the Lakers after Malik Beasley fouled him in the first half.

The Suns backup point guard continued to play, but missed the second half of that game and was sidelined the next five before returning to action in Game 5 against the Clippers.

Josh Okogie and Bismack Biyombo have been the two constants off the bench so far, but they combined are averaging a combined 10.6 points in the playoffs.

Landry Shamet, T.J. Warren and Terrence Ross can score, but with Payne being able to handle the ball and initiate offense with pace – and he can also get buckets – he’s certainly a bench scoring option in this series.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can Cameron Payne change Phoenix Suns…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/phoenix-suns-last-nba-playoffs-213614860.html?src=rss

Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Publish date : 2023-04-29 21:36:14

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