The Phoenix Suns caught a huge break heading into Game 3. Heading on the road to face the LA Clippers with the NBA playoff series tied 1-1, Phoenix’s chances of winning grew exponentially when it was announced that Kawhi Leonard was going to miss the game because of a sprained knee.
Leonard was joining Paul George on the sidelines, meaning the Clippers would be without their two best players. While that provided the Suns with an edge, the game still needed to be played; you never know what can happen. But, the Suns took full advantage, as the Clippers had no answers for them offensively.
Devin Booker poured in 45 points, finding a rhythm early and never cooling off. George and Leonard are also Los Angeles’ best defenders, so slowing down Booker proved difficult. He shot 18-for-29 from the field and credits the presence of Kevin Durant for helping him get going.
“You can’t leave [Durant], obviously. He draws a lot of attention,” Booker said. “A lot of the buckets I scored, I went right to him right after and said, ‘You opened that up.'”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
In addition, Durant picked and chose his spots well. He scored 28 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line. With so many eyes on Durant, it left Booker in some advantageous positions that he made the most of. At times, it seemed as if the star addition was being used as a decoy on offense.
“I almost feel bad for Kevin sometimes because he’s like an expensive decoy out there,” Suns coach Monty Williams joked. “He’s standing at the 28-foot hash and the defender is right in his face. That gives Book a number of opportunities to attack the basket.
“Even when we run him in actions … sometimes two guys go with Kevin when he comes off of a screen. So that opens up the floor for everyone else.”
In Games 1 and 2 in Phoenix, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue tried different strategies to throw the Suns off their game offensively. It worked well in Game 1 and at the start of Game 2 as he mixed in blitzes and different traps.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
But, in those games, Lue knew he had one elite defender that could get the job done in one-on-one situations in Leonard. Without him, their defense had to make even more adjustments as they were without their second-best defender in George as well.
In Game 3, it was clear that the Clippers wanted to do everything they could to limit Durant. It led to Booker exploding, which will certainly lead to more adjustments being made by Lue and his staff. It is something that Booker is preparing for.
“I expect the Clippers to make an adjustment, try to take me away [next game],” Booker said. “Then it’ll be [Durant’s] time to do it. That’s just how we play.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
That game plan for the Clippers will change drastically if Leonard or George can return to the lineup. If they are unable to play, Lue will have to once again get creative in figuring out ways to slow down an explosive Suns group.
Having two players that can score at will is what makes the Suns so dangerous. They have a good supporting cast as well with Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul also capable of carrying the offense for stretches of time if need be.
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