How the Phoenix Suns would fare against every playoff team in series
By Ryan Bawek
Phoenix Suns over Memphis Grizzlies in 6
Can I get something off my chest? We won’t get to see this even as a play-in series of sorts potentially within the next week because Jaren Jackson Jr. went down with a meniscus injury, but can people stop saying Jackson is better than Ayton? That is ludicrous.
Jackson averaged 17 points and four rebounds this season. Ayton is averaging 19 and 12. Jackson is a better three-point shooter than Ayton by a mile, but Ayton is a far superior individual and team defender and light years better as a rebounder. They aren’t even really that close in the level of value they provide a team at this point.
Anyway, Booker is the best player in this series and the Suns throw Bridges on Morant at times to frustrate the rookie. The Suns are considerably deeper and more talented than the Grizzlies right now.
Phoenix Suns over Dallas Mavericks in 7
I know most people will laugh at me about this, but I think the Suns match up well with Dallas and have a better roster top to bottom. Bridges really frustrates Luka and Deandre Ayton would be incredibly motivated to prove his worthiness as the No. 1 pick amidst all of the (warranted) Luka love.
The Mavericks have nobody that would stop Booker from averaging 30-plus per game and the Mavericks would shoot themselves out of a few games.
I really think the X-factor here would be Tim Hardaway Jr. If he is hot in this series, the Mavericks win, if he is average or off, I think the Suns pull it off.