3 things the Phoenix Suns need to do to beat the Clippers

2. Out-hustle them

One of the key reasons the Mavericks got out to an early lead against the Suns was because they simply out-hustled them. They got every loose ball, made hard drives to the lane, and were overall more assertive.

While the Mavericks became complacent and settled for ill-advised 3s in the second half and allowed the Suns to get back into it the game, the Suns can’t expect such courtesy from the Clippers. They can’t get out to a big deficit early because the likelihood of back-to-back dramatic comebacks is slim-to-none.

One of the theories I had going into these seeding games is that teams like the Clippers would not play their starters’ normal minutes in an effort to preserve them for the playoffs. Thus far, that has not been the case, and moreover, stars have been going all out to win these games.

The Suns have to assume they are going to see Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and the rest of the starters late into the fourth quarter, so it is imperative they outwork them for 48 minutes and force them to sit because the lead is too large.