Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. Hey! We’re in the playoffs now!
The Suns are on the verge of giving the Nuggets a clean sweep.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images.)
Maybe we should’ve expected this. But at the same time, I feel like we’re seeing the Phoenix Suns peaking at the right time.
You can see the confidence swelling within the Suns. The injury scare with Chris Paul (knock on wood) seems long gone. Even at this stage of his career, his pinpoint passing and halfcourt execution has been better than ever. He still gets to his spots with seemingly little effort. And he just has total control of the offense. Just by looking at his line (27-6-8), you can see the whole story.
Devin Booker has evolved to be an all-world player. We all know he can score. But he’s also become a good defender (which may have something to do with the changed Suns culture) and teams can no longer pick on him. In these playoffs, he’s become this silent assassin. When the Suns absolutely need him to score, he’ll do just that. He hasn’t had to do it much in the Denver series although he did score 28 points in this win.
The other starters have done their job. Jae Crowder is making his shots now to go along with his rugged play. Mikal Bridges has continued to supplement his hellish defense with timely buckets (remember his 23 points in Game 1). Deandre Ayton has grabbed all the boards and has even made his match-up with the MVP a wash. Then you got a most definitely capable bench with Cameron Payne, Cameron Johnson, Torrey Craig, and the recently used Dario Saric. The Suns look terrifying.
Of course, the Nuggets haven’t been able to counter Phoenix’s backcourt with Jamal Murray missing. Nikola Jokic is trying to do what he can (32-20-10!). Monte Morris did wake up with 21 points and Will Barton scored 14. Michael Porter, Jr. needs to do more than score 15. But they just look outclassed by Phoenix.
Now the Suns are one win away from the Western Conference Finals. It gives Chris Paul another shot at the NBA Finals, which he came very close in 2018 until a hamstring injury snuffed those chances.
And it’s also becoming a what-if season for Denver, who had aspirations of going for their second straight West Finals.
Bullet Passes
It’s too bad that Denver lost. Jokic received his MVP trophy before the game.
Nikola Jokic received his 2020-21 #KiaMVP trophy in front of the @nuggets crowd ahead of Game 3. 🏆#ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/smWH8eFOH6
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2021
Again, what a journey he has had.
Remember when I mentioned Jokic’s line? Well, Ayton was certainly shocked.
“Yep, he the MVP.” 😂@DeandreAyton was amazed by Nikola Jokic’s statline. #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/pH1Ra1zb9T
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2021
Yeah, I’d react the same way.
The Sixers used a huge third quarter to put away the pesky Atlanta Hawks. Joel Embiid went for 27-9-8 to give the Sixers a 2-1 series lead.
The Hawks would have to do better than 6 for 23 behind the arc to even up the series.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 11, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#1 Sixers lead #5 Hawks, 2-1.
#2 Nets lead #3 Bucks, 2-1.
#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, 2-0.
#2 Suns lead #3 Nuggets, 3-0.
#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
This alley-oop from Ben Simmons to Embiid was scrumptious.
This Simmons dime to Embiid was too smooth 😮 pic.twitter.com/G2m40jrvb5
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 12, 2021
That’s a heck of a pass by Simmons. You won’t see me calling him overrated.
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.