Phoenix Suns: 3 Most Important Matchups vs Denver Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns looked like sitting ducks at one point, and then true contenders the very next during their opening playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers. But while navigating their way around LeBron James legacy debates and Anthony Davis injury speculations, the Phoenix Suns emerged from the fog, defeating the league’s reigning champions and ascending into the Western Conference Semifinals.

Devin Booker offered a stunning sequel to his eight-game playoff-esque bubble run from last summer, averaging 29.7 points per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three. He too added a 47-point and 11-rebound performance to help close out Los Angeles during Game 6.

Although not exactly a surprise, but still as a much welcomed sight, Deandre Ayton stepped up his game as well. Even while playing against perhaps the league’s most astute interior defensive squad, Ayton averaged 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. His efficiency skyrocketed as well, as he shot 79.6 percent from the field opposed to his 62.6 percent mark from the regular season.

Perhaps no player represented the series’s up and down nature better than Chris Paul though, who nursed a shoulder injury which limited his play substantially midway through the series, before seemingly recovering and looking more like his true self during Games 5 and 6. Cameron Payne stepped up big averaging 12.5 points per game during the series, and Jae Crowder really came on late, most notably with an 18-point performance during Game 6 where he nailed six 3-pointers.

But now a new challenge awaits, with an MVP favorite at its helm. Set to face off against the Denver Nuggets with a trip to the conference finals up for contention, these three matchups will likely dictate who moves on.

Phoenix Suns need Mikal Bridges to slow down Michael Porter Jr.

As arguably the league’s most improved player this season, Michael Porter Jr. remains a looming threat likely to give Phoenix trouble along the wing. During round one against the Portland Trailblazers, Porter Jr. averaged 18.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor. While finishing off Portland during Game 6, Porter Jr. especially flashed his growth, going 6-for-7 from beyond the arc during the first quarter, tying an NBA record.

Mikal Bridges though has already established himself as Phoenix’s best wing defender, drawing assignments during the regular season such as Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic, and Donovan Mitchell. With this acknowledged, it feels likely that to assume that Monty Williams will hand him the task of derailing the Porter Jr. steam engine once this series tips off.

Although Porter Jr. stands three inches taller Bridges, the former Wildcat can still cover more ground laterally with an incredible seven-foot wingspan, slightly longer than that of Porter Jr. This tool combined with his lateral quickness poises to offer him a good base to begin his defense on Porter Jr., who really possesses the ability to score at all three levels.

Beyond that though, Bridges needs to focus on fighting through screens while defending Porter Jr., who owns the fifth highest playoff percentile for points scored while coming off a screen. As an encouraging factor though, Bridges remains a very smart defender, often making the right decision to either switch off or pursue his man following a screen, setting him up well for combat against Porter Jr.

Offensively, Bridges quite frankly lacks the firepower frequently displayed by Porter Jr. However, Bridges flashed some steady improvements during Phoenix’s first round series, scoring 11.3 points per game during his team’s final three contests compared to his 7.3-point per game average during the three games prior. Porter Jr.’s defense has never been much to rave over, so expect Bridges to continue his offensive surge.

Another big challenge for the Phoenix Suns and Deandre Ayton

Although the injury woes primarily endured by Anthony Davis certainly played a role, Deandre Ayton nonetheless outperformed every Laker big during their first round series, stepping up despite all the difficult matchups thrown his way. But now an even more intimidating challenge awaits, perhaps the greatest thus far during his young career.

Unless you live under a rock, you know what kind of season Denver big man Nikola Jokic is having. Soon to be crowned league MVP according to Vegas, Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 10.3 rebounds per game during the regular season. But clearly with a lot still left in the tank, Jokic has only expanded on his excellence this postseason, scoring 33.0 points per game during round one.

But Ayton last saw Jokic and the Nuggets nearly half a year ago, with their last two games coming one after the other in late January, both ending up as overtime victories for Denver. Although the Joker got the last laugh during those contests, Ayton performed sufficiently against him, averaging 22.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game to Jokic’s 30.0-point and 16.0-rebound averages.

Jokic still outplayed Ayton, but the former Wildcat held his own. More encouragingly though, we know Ayton’s presence indeed effects Jokic, with the Serbian big’s true shooting percentage against the Suns this year standing at 51.8% with Ayton on the floor, opposed to 75.8% without. With this acknowledged, expect Ayton to play big minutes during this game, likely only grabbing some bench when Jokic does as well.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker getting a lot of different looks

Having clearly elevated his play while delivering a historic performance during Game 6, an argument can certainly be made for naming Devin Booker as a top five performer thus far during these playoffs. With the Nuggets lacking the defensive aptitude at the guard position following injuries to Jamal Murray and Will Barton, it feels likely that the Nuggets will throw a several different looks at Booker’s direction while trying to stop him.

With less intimidating defenders such as Austin Rivers and Facundo Campazzo starting at each guard position for Denver, leaving them alone against Booker, and even Paul for that matter, feels like building a dam with tinfoil rather than cement. Against the Blazers, the Nuggets got real creative while trying to defend Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, even sticking Aaron Gordon on them from time to time.

Gordon bothered Lillard especially during the first few sets where the strategy took place, but he eventually found his way around it, utilizing his superior speed to both attack the rim and create space. Although not quite as fast as Lillard, Booker should be able to get by Gordon with quick bursts as well. This remains something he must accomplish, or else Gordon’s size might make things difficult.

However, if Booker indeed identifies and exploits Gordon’s weaknesses against him as a defender, the Nuggets might just cut their losses and look to double-team him at every turn. As a response, Booker must be ready to swing the ball when necessary, and his teammates need to burry whatever shots come their way.

But either way, the Nuggets stand undoubtedly understaffed to defend someone like Booker, making this matchup feel destined to end up as a battle of action and reaction between him and Nuggets head coach Mike Malone.