One Adjustment Suns Need to Make vs Clippers

The Phoenix Suns are tied 1-1 with the Los Angeles Clippers after two fairly close games that could have swung either way at the Footprint Center.

Now, as the first-round series readies to play two games back in LA, the battle of adjustments will be even further emphasized as we dig deeper into the series. We're guaranteed at least a Game 5 back in Phoenix, which can be a clinching game if either team goes 2-0 in Los Angeles.

The Suns have quite the star-studded lineup featuring names such as Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton.

Due to their lack of depth, Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley says the Suns need to keep two of their superstars on the court at all times:

"As soon as the Phoenix Suns brokered their blockbuster deal for Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, some concerns were raised about their resulting depth—or lack thereof, rather," said Buckley.

"In Game 1, Phoenix seemed to try to silence those concerns. The Suns gave at least four minutes to 11 different players and trotted out two different lineups with Devin Booker playing alongside four reserves. Those lineups saw only four minutes of action, but Phoenix lost them by nine points in a five-point win for the Clippers.

"In Game 2, the Suns gave four-plus minutes to only eight players. Phoenix played most of the night with at least three of Booker, Durant, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton on the floor. The only lineup that didn't have at least two of those players was the all-bench mop-up unit that handled the final minute.

"This is how the Suns need to play. They sacrificed their depth to gain superior star power, which almost always makes sense since stars win biggest in this league.

"As long as their stars stay healthy, Phoenix should let them shine as bright as possible. It won't win many (if any) bench battles this postseason, but its top-tier talent is good enough to take the title without those triumphs."

In Game 2, stars in Booker (45), Durant (44) and Paul (38) played significant minutes in the win. Ayton (32) would have played similar minutes if he didn't find himself in foul trouble.

LA's bench has proven superior to Phoenix's, though the potential arrival of Cameron Payne (questionable with lower back injury) could shift that dynamic.

Game 3 is tonight at 7:30 PM PST.