Three Keys to Victory for Suns vs Nuggets Game 4
The Phoenix Suns - once thought to be down and out in the series against the Denver Nuggets - now have an opportunity to push themselves level with the West's top seed in a crucial Game 4.
Game 3 was considered a must-win, but Game 4 has the ability to sway the series in either direction. A 3-1 lead against the Nuggets would simply be too much to ask from Phoenix while a 2-2 series heading back to Denver means it's anybody's game once again.
For the Suns to really capture momentum at the Footprint Center, here's three keys to victory:
Three Keys to Victory for Suns vs Nuggets Game 4
1. Kevin Durant Finds His Efficiency
Suns forward Kevin Durant has been anything but disappointing this postseason - it's quite hard to complain about 39 points in Game 3.
Yet if there's one area for Durant to improve on, it would be his efficiency.
In the first round, Durant averaged a cool 51.8% field goal percentage against the Clippers. That appeared to carry over in Game 1 against Denver when he shot 12-19.
Durant's been able to score 24 and 39 points in his last two games, though he's been far from efficient in doing so. He shot 10-27 in Game 2 before going 12-31 in Game 3. He still managed to reach the line 16 times, but once Durant really finds his form again, the Suns will be close to clicking on all cylinders.
2. Keep Pushing The Tempo
Cameron Payne's seven points left a lot to be desired in the starting lineup, but it's clear that Suns coach Monty Williams loved how the team was able to push the ball down the floor in Game 3:
"It was amazing. I thought his first layup was signature Cam. He missed the one in Denver and tonight he was at the rim, even when he didn't look to score he was putting so much pressure on them in transition that it's hard to match up and we needed it," said Williams.
With Chris Paul again out with a groin injury, Payne will likely suit up again in the starting lineup. Though Payne is clearly the inferior guard, his speed and ability to push the pace has allowed the Suns to thrive, which should continue in Game 4.
3. Energy and Effort
Suns fans typically have a bone to pick with Deandre Ayton, but there was something legitimate in Game 3 when it came to his lack of energy.
So much so that Williams himself saw that and decided to leave sparkplug Jock Landale in the game down the final stretch. Ayton finished with four points.
"He just scrapped. You couldn't point out anything that he did from a high level skill perspective, but he just scrapped and even when he was guarding [Jamal] Murray or guarding the smalls, he just competed," said Monty Williams on Landale closing the game.
"Guys have tough games and DA {Deandre Ayton] didn't have his best tonight but it's great to be able to have your brother out there that can pick it up for you."
For Phoenix, it doesn't matter who is out that - so long as they're hustling and providing everything asked of them. If that means playing guys such as Landale and others on the bench, so be it.
