What must Phoenix Suns do to win Game 4 vs. Denver Nuggets? Here’s what The Republic’s writers say

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The Phoenix Suns came through when they needed it most on Friday, cutting the series deficit with the Denver Nuggets to 2-1. They return to Footprint Center at 5 p.m. Sunday for Game 4 and a chance to tie the series when it goes back to Denver on Tuesday. So what will it take for the Suns to win Sunday and even the series? Here’s what The Arizona Republic’s writers who have been covering the playoffs say:

Suns need to keep up defensive intensity

The Phoenix Suns will have to keep up the defensive intensity to even this second-round playoff series on Sunday.

Devin Booker has been amazing all postseason. Kevin Durant has been a brilliant support.

But facing an 0-2 deficit, Suns coach Monty Williams gave big minutes to offensive-minded reserves like Terrence Ross, T.J. Warren and Jock Landale. They rewarded his trust by holding Denver to 44 percent shooting.

The Suns made the Nuggets work for everything, forcing 13 turnovers and holding Jamal Murray to just 1-for-6 shooting from 3-point range.

Play fast. Swarm on defense. And share the offensive load (seven Suns players aside from Booker and Durant scored). This will have to be the formula with Chris Paul out.  And if the Suns can keep up the energy, they’ll have a chance to head back to the Western Conference finals for the second time in three years under Monty Williams.

They’re showing they can win big games. They just need to make sure they remember how they’re doing it: Defensive intensity and effort from everybody, not just Devin and Kevin.

—Greg Moore

Suns should keep playing Ross, Warren and Landale

Torrey Craig and Josh Okogie are solid and proven defenders.

They’re two guys Williams can go for a stretch or a defensive possession, but Denver has too many offensive weapons to lack having scoring on the floor as well.

Enter Warren and Ross.

They only shot a combined 5-of-14 for 12 points, but Warren and Ross can put up big numbers and their presence alone helps space the floor for Durant and Booker.

Story continues

Ross hit a 3 late in the second quarter to give Phoenix its biggest lead of the game, 64-48, and Warren delivered five points on back-to-back…

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Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Publish date : 2023-05-06 17:00:25

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