Suns Know Dominating Down Low is Crucial to Game 4 Success

We're set to see a very important Game 4 between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers begin in just under two hours, and the stakes are beginning to reach significant altitudes.

The Suns have the ability to put themselves up 3-1 in the series heading back to Phoenix for Game 5 on Tuesday. Teams who go up 3-1 in the series end up advancing 95% of the time, according to Land of Basketball.

The Clippers - without Paul George or Kawhi Leonard - will be looking to draw the series level at 2-2 and ensure a Game 6 is played back in Los Angeles.

In Game 3, Clippers coach Ty Lue threw out a small lineup in the absence of Leonard/George that still nearly defeated Phoenix.

As a result, one would think the pressure falls on Deandre Ayton to walk away with 20 rebounds today. Though he shouldn't be losing any rebound battle, it's up to the rest of Phoenix's lineup to attack the paint with the same kind of importance.

“When they go small, you have to take advantage of it," Suns coach Monty Williams said after Game 3. "When they have smaller guys out there and the shot goes up, DA [Deandre Ayton] got some, Torrey [Craig] got a big one. I think that's the advantage for us is to attack the paint, attack the basket, but also crash. And if we can get extra possessions that way, we'll take it.”

Getting to the paint is something the Suns have emphasized as of late, and that's paid off: The Suns have shot more free throws than Los Angeles in two-of-three games this year.

Game 3 saw Phoenix shoot 46 free throws.

“If a game is gonna be that physical you have to take advantage of it, and we got into the bonus early a few times, but I think attacking the basket is the thing that allows for you to do that," said Williams.

"And then when they go small, there's not a lot of rim protection there, so we just tell our guys to get to the paint. The one thing we've improved upon this year is deep paint touches as opposed to always the mid range shot. We've been getting to the rim a ton this year.”

Devin Booker - fresh off a 45 point performance - says the team needs to continue taking advantage of LA's small lineup.

“They go small, so it takes away rim protection so just trying to exploit that and get to the rim. I missed a layup, and I told Deandre [Ayton] 'Clean it up.' That means somebody came and helped. I missed a layup, and you should feast," Booker said.

"T-Lue [Tyronn Lue] does a good job of switching that up throughout, what it feels like every possession feels like they’re in a different defense. Just realizing that and taking advantage and trying to get the best situation we can get."

Kevin Durant says the Clippers did a good job of hitting the boards despite their size mismatches across the floor.

"Yeah man they went super small and they got four guards that crashed the glass. They got guards that just play extremely hard. Play bigger than their size. When they went all five small that feel like when we had our advantage as well, offensive glass was able to get a few. [Deandre Ayton] was big. [Josh Okogie] was big. Torrey [Craig] was big. We are going to need that going forward, as many opportunities that we can get at the rim as possible so it’s good for us," Durant said following Game 3.

Los Angeles will continue to play hard and maximize their efforts, especially when it comes to the paint. It's up to Phoenix to not only match that intensity, but to also take advantage of their opportunities when called upon.