Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. We are now in the Conference Finals!
It was ugly but the Suns are now up, 3-1, against the Clippers in the West Finals.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times.)
Well, this is the type of basketball oldheads wanted, right? A low-scoring, down-and-dirty, beat-’em-up, physical grind that doesn’t remind anyone of the game of basketball.
Lots of missed shots. Lots of missed opportunities. A sloppy game that reminded me of how I played ball during 6th grade recess. This should’ve favored the Suns since they’re used to the slow pace of Chris Paul but they couldn’t capitalize. This should’ve favored the Clippers since the Suns seemed beat up but they were so fatigued that they also missed their chances.
All-in-all, we saw the Suns go 4 for 19 (that is .211) in the fourth quarter and win. Only because the Clippers went 3 for 19 (that is .158) in that same period. There were way too many droughts that it was like a late chapter in Uncharted 3 where Nathan Drake was desperate for a drink of water. The Suns went 5 minutes without a field goal. And they still won.
Sure, it could be the free throws of one Paul George. It’s easy to blame it on an exhausted George, who went for 23-16-6. But again, they had so many shots at this and they just couldn’t get over the hump.
We said that Devin Booker and Paul wouldn’t go 10 for 40 again but they weren’t much better in this game as they went 14 for 44 (.318). As much as that was putrid, though, they still came through as they scored 13 of the 15 (yuck) 4th quarter points. Also, shoutout to Deandre Ayton for continuously grabbing the boards; he ended with 19 points, 22 rebounds, and four blocks.
The Clippers really have their backs to the wall now. But I wouldn’t dismiss them just yet. The Clips have proven to be excellent at comebacks this season; they were already down, 2-0, in all of these playoff rounds. And coach Tyronn Lue did the unthinkable 5 years ago when he coached the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA championship after being down 3-1 against the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the Finals. It’s unlikely a comeback happens but never rule it out.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns are one win away from the NBA Finals. Whether it’s an offensive shootout (Game 4 to sweep the Nuggets), a defensive grind (this game), a blowout (Game 5 against the Lakers), or a last-second shot (Game 2 against the Clippers), they’ll take whatever wins they can get. They are all the same to Phoenix.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 26, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#3 Bucks tied with #5 Hawks, 1-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #1 Sixers, 4-3.
#3 Bucks defeat #2 Nets, 4-3.
#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
#2 Suns lead #4 Clippers, 3-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #1 Jazz, 4-2.
#2 Suns defeat #3 Nuggets, 4-0.
#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
Chris Paul gets a little fancy by going between the legs before the fadeaway J.
It’s ART. pic.twitter.com/PA2W8p3zup
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 27, 2021
Point God, as they say. What a move.
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.