Phoenix Suns’ 3 prime NBA playoff matchups and how to win

The Phoenix Suns may not do much more after adding Torrey Craig before the trade deadline, but maybe they need to be aggressive when playoff matchups are considered.

Like most playoff contenders, the Suns have a couple of soft spots that could prove costly in the postseason – and potential opponents know it.

The Phoenix Suns’ Western Conference rivals could be able to exploit some Suns weaknesses in the playoffs, so how can Phoenix fight back?

As they prepare to take the floor in Houston to face another “should-win” game (but we know these can be dangerous), the Suns probably can’t help but glance at the standings.

Entering Monday’s action — and with the Los Angeles Clippers’ victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday — the Suns have a four-game lead in the loss column over the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and the Clippers, with a five-game lead on the defending champion Lakers.

If they sustain the level of play they showed through the first 48 games, the Suns could throw a 50 in the win column by the time the regular season concludes May 16. With only 72 games in a truncated NBA schedule, 50 wins would be a serious achievement.

And it wouldn’t mean very much to playoff-starved Suns fans if the team were to lose in the first round — a distinct possibility, especially if Phoenix fails to land a No. 1 or No. 2 overall seed in the Western Conference.

The future is bright, and there are a few draft-eligible players to consider for next season, but the focus is on the “now.”

Here are a few of the prominent Western Conference rivals the Suns could face during the postseason, and how some changes may be needed.