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The Phoenix Suns return to Footprint Center down 2-0 in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets. It doesn’t overstate things to say Friday is a must-win game. So what will it take for the Suns to win Game 3? Here’s what The Arizona Republic’s writers who have been covering the playoffs say:
It comes down to Durant and Booker
With Kevin Durant and Chris Paul, offense is not supposed to be a problem for the Phoenix Suns in their Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. Except Durant has played far below his all-time great standards, and Paul is hurt, again.
The Suns are down 0-2 to the Nuggets as they return to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday. It’s not an elimination game, but it’s certainly do-or-die for Devin Booker and the Fellas. Durant turned the ball over seven times in Game 1. He followed that up by shooting 10 for 27, including 3 for 12 from 3-point range.
Paul, meanwhile, scored just 11 points in Game 1. And then, just when it looked like he was going to heat up to help the Suns put away Game 2, he got hurt. Again. Paul’s career has been marred by postseason injuries, and it looks like this is going to be yet another “if Chris Paul were healthy who knows what would have happened” type of year.
If Durant plays the way he’s played for most of the last 15 years and Booker matches his efficiency, the Suns should have enough heat to win Friday. Anything less than a stellar performance from those two brightest Suns is likely to lead to an 0-3 deficit.
— Greg Moore
Updates: Suns vs. Nuggets NBA playoffs news, notes
Cameron Payne needs to step up for Chris Paul
Chris Paul’s 38th birthday is Saturday. Cameron Payne needs to be the gift on both ends of the floor in Game 3 on Friday now that Paul possibly can’t give after he was sidelined with left groin tightness late in Game 2’s third quarter.
Paul finished Game 2 with eight points, six assists, and five rebounds. That’s something Cam can do to help run the offense with more minutes, and Williams said after Game 2 that Payne and Phoenix backup big Jock Landale “put a lot of pressure on…
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Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
Publish date : 2023-05-05 20:07:38
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