How Suns Could Win, Lose Series vs Clippers
With the Phoenix Suns entering Game 1 of the first round as 7.5-point favorites in Game 1, the expectation is certainly to win the series. Phoenix comes in as healthy as can be - and even without playing as many games as maybe they would have liked with Kevin Durant - are clicking on all cylinders.
F Kevin Durant will be ready to roll Sunday, playing in his first playoff game at Footprint Center.
Why Phoenix Wins:
Kevin Durant takes over
Durant, 34, is capable of some of the most selfish basketball in the world, but in the best way possible. The elite scorer has takeover ability like no other in the league, and we’ve already seen it on the NBA’s biggest stage. For starters, Durant averages about 30 points a game in the playoffs. He’s able to carry the load of scoring and play a clean enough game to stay out of foul trouble to finish games.
F Kevin Durant could take over the series like he has been known to do throughout his career.
Another aspect is Durant’s experience. Durant has played in 155 career playoff games, giving him plenty of work experience. With his ankle feeling significantly better, KD and the Suns have set themselves up for a nice playoff run. Durant could be the one who gets the engine started in the Valley with some of his signature playoff performances of the past now being fitted in purple and orange.
Devin Booker leads the charge
With some of the attention focused on Durant, Booker will have the opportunity to take the Suns to another level. Booker is more than capable of leading the Suns and we have already seen it during the playoffs. Back in 2021, Booker led the Suns all the way to a Finals appearance without the kind of help he has now.
G Devin Booker is capable of leading the Suns in the playoffs, like he's done previously.
This is also the freshest Booker has been entering a playoff run. This is the least amount of regular season games Booker has played in his career. The rest will be important for Booker’s body as his style of play demands a lot out of his body. His mind will be fresh too, making his drive to win at an all-time high after such high expectations have been placed.
Cam Payne picks up the scraps
When all the star power if resting on the bench, it will be Payne that will play important minutes. If Payne can effectively get his spots on the floor and knock down threes, the scoring from the Clippers bench will have a hard time keeping pace.
G Cam Payne will provide a boost of energy with high effort plays coming off the bench, critical in a playoff series.
Payne also plays with the kind of energy needed in the playoffs. A lose ball battle, a deflected pass, these are the types of plays Payne has been responsible for all year and can add some energy to a team. Look for Payne to be a factor in this series, whether it's small or big could be a difference for the Suns in the first round.
Why Phoenix Loses:
Kawhi Leonard does his thing
Back in 2019, the Toronto Raptors were led by one of the best two-way players in the league. That team went on a special run and defeated the KD-included Golden State Warriors. Leonard helped the city of Toronto to its first championship, much like how the Clippers are seeking theirs. Leonard is no stranger to carrying some weight on his back, and with a scrappy mentality the Clippers could sneak a series win.
F Kawhi Leonard has a playoff gene that has come out in the right moment in years past.
Leonard is also no stranger to limiting and frustrating superstars in his playoff career. Keep in mind, Leonard has beaten some of the NBA’s greatest assembled teams in the Finals already. Should Leonard play villain again, the Clippers can sail on past a Suns team that may have been unlucky in their first-round draw.
An unfortunate injury
A major injury would be catastrophic to the Suns title hopes and rather unfortunate for the game as well. For the Clippers, their major injury has already happened with Paul George spraining his knee three weeks ago. His return for the series is doubtful. Should the Suns encounter the same doom, the Clippers suddenly find themselves on a much more even playing field, sparking confidence to the team.
Suns cannot afford to sustain injuries to any player, the risk is still present however.
Injuries are unfortunately part of the game of basketball and it does play a factor in series. The Suns cannot afford an injury to virtually any player at this point on the year. The Clippers could find themselves in business if they run into a health bothered Phoenix team.
