Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the playoffs now!
The Suns destroyed the Nuggets again in Phoenix.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Gonzales/Getty Images.)
The Phoenix Suns have been dominant in this series thus far.
There isn’t much to say, really. Nikola Jokic needed a dominant game for the Nuggets to stay in it and, well, he played good (24-13-6) but good isn’t good enough against the well-oiled machine that is the Suns.
Phoenix didn’t need a lot from Devin Booker (although he got 18 points, 10 boards) and they didn’t have to with this balanced attack. Chris Paul was dishing early and then really turned up the heat in the fourth with consecutive threes (he finished with 17 points, 15 dimes, and no turnovers). Deandre Ayton had another double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds). Even former Nugget Torrey Craig came up big against his former team with 10 points.
Denver’s guard play had to keep up and they were even worse in Game 2. Facundo Campazzo went 1 for 7 (3 points). Austin Rivers was quiet (2 for 5, 6 points). Monte Morris had a silent 3 points (1 for 7). Will Barton came back for a shot in the arm (10 points in his first playoff game this season) but it didn’t feel like much with the way the Nuggets played. Michael Porter, Jr. worked through his back issues but went 3 for 13 for 11 points.
The Suns thoroughly outclassed the Nuggets in just about every single category. On the bright side, the Nuggets can say that the Suns just held home court and things could easily change with a Game 3 win. But being down, 0-2, isn’t a nice stroll in the park. Denver MUST win Game 3; no team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit (although their team from 1994 nearly pulled it off against Utah). This is where having Jamal Murray would really help; he’s one that could create his offense and could, at least, offset the Suns’ guard play.
But for now, the Suns are hotter than ever.
Bullet Passes
Rudy Gobert won his third Defensive Player of the Year award and it wasn’t close, either.
We all know what Rudy provides: elite rim protection. And he was huge to helping Utah get the best record in the league. He joins Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, and Dwight Howard as three-time winners of this award. He also won the award in 2018 and 2019.
As expected, Nate Bjorkgren was fired by the Indiana Pacers as head coach. The Pacers really had some bizarre coaching moves as of late. They extended Nate McMillan last summer, only to let go of him a couple of days later. Then they hired Bjorkgren, who frustrated the team with his demeanor and micromanaging.
Meanwhile, McMillan is thriving with the Hawks. Whoops.
Mike Conley won’t be available for Game 2 of their series against the Clippers. Once again, the Clips have a golden opportunity to steal home court.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 9, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#1 Sixers are tied with #5 Hawks, 1-1.
#2 Nets lead #3 Bucks, 2-0.
#1 Sixers defeat #8 Wizards, 4-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #4 Knicks, 4-1.
#2 Nets defeat #7 Celtics, 4-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#1 Jazz lead #4 Clippers, 1-0.
#2 Suns lead #3 Nuggets, 2-0.
#1 Jazz defeat #8 Grizzlies, 4-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #5 Mavericks, 4-3.
#2 Suns defeat #7 Lakers, 4-2.
#3 Nuggets defeat #6 Blazers, 4-2.
Watch This Play
What Chris Paul did to Paul Millsap was mean.
Chris Paul has Paul Millsap doing Mambo #5 pic.twitter.com/AycCZJLgam
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) June 10, 2021
This is all I got.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Rhino.)
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.