Phoenix Suns: 3 Takeaways From Game 1 Victory vs Denver Nuggets

Trailing the Denver Nuggets during almost the entire first half, the Phoenix Suns trotted back into the locker room at halftime down 57-58, having kept pace with their opponent during Game 1, but unable to gather any real momentum. At the time, Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. had collected 33 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, while shooting 13-17 from the field.

Although Devin Booker appeared to heat up during the second quarter’s latter half, he entered the break with just 11 points. That might seem like a solid early effort for most NBA players, but not for Booker, who averaged 29.6 points per game during his team’s previous series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

But a few minutes later when Austin Rivers sunk a 3-pointer to put the Nuggets up 70-60 with 8:13 left in the third quarter, it rekindled the raging fire Phoenix formerly used to burn out LeBron James and the defending champs a week ago. Captained by Booker and Mikal Bridges, the Suns exploded with a 16-0 run to not only seize the lead, but extend it and enter the fourth quarter up 88-79.

Despite shooting 63.6 percent from the field at the half, Nikola Jokic shot just 3-10 during the third quarter. Phoenix absolutely hounded the Nuggets, grabbing three steals and blocking a shot as they let it rain on the offensive end.

The game’s final period was all fun. Phoenix completely buried the Nuggets with 34 points, collectively shooting 14-20. Chris Paul, who tallied only two made field goals up to the point, embraced the “closer” role, going 6-6 from the field and snagging 14 points during the fourth quarter.

A long road still awaits the Suns, surely distancing them from their ultimate goal, as this came as only the first contest during these Western Conference Semifinals. Regardless though, we still learned a great deal from Game 1, including these three takeaways.

Phoenix Suns Game 1 Takeaway: Game tempo is critical

Phoenix absolutely steamrolled through the Nuggets during the second half, despite only treading water during the first. The biggest difference between the two periods? Dictating the game’s pace.

During the first half, the Nuggets played fast and jetted across the court in transition, allowing Jokic to put his incredible passing skillset to the test, finding his shooters often for open shots before Phoenix set up their defense. Contrarily, the Suns struggled to find their rhythm, unable to get stops for themselves which limited their own chances to attack Denver’s defense with their own speed.

The Nuggets score the fourth fewest fast break points per game amongst all NBA teams, and the three teams above them include the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Portland Trailblazers, all of whom have already “gone fishin.” On the other end, the Nuggets struggle to defend against the fast break as well, surrendering the highest score frequency to opposing teams on the break this postseason at 60 percent.

With Denver clearly accustomed to running the game at a slower tempo, Phoenix was honestly lucky to trail by just one point at the half after failing to exploit this clear weakness. Luckily though, the Suns turned things up after halftime, allowing them to twist this one into a blowout.

Phoenix scored 11 fast break points after the break, while Denver scored zero, as both teams for better or worse reembraced their identities. It all started with defense, as the Suns slowed down Jokic especially, forcing him into a 3-12 second half. Additionally, Phoenix secured defensive rebounds on 70 percent of Denver’s missed shots, while also winning the turnover battle during the second half, setting up the groundwork needed to spur fast breaks.

With this distinction between halves regarding who controlled game’s pace mirroring the scoreboard, the Suns must continue to emphasize its importance for Game 2. If Phoenix jumps out to a fast start early on, they can keep their hands on the wheel till the final horn and consequently go up 2-0.

Phoenix Suns Game 1 Takeaway: Deandre Ayton will not be bullied by Jokic

Deandre Ayton already passed a tough test when he held Anthony Davis to 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and a lackluster 40.3 field goal percentage during round one. Granted, Davis played while nursing a groin injury that even caused him to exit early during Game 6, but Ayton still performed notably well even with said circumstances acknowledged, averaging 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game while shooting 79.6 percent.

But for the few still doubting Ayton even after watching him wreak havoc on the defending champs last week, MVP-favorite Nikola Jokic enters as an even higher hurdle for Ayton to leap over, likely warranting even greater praise if bested. Getting off to a good start, Ayton not only held his own against Jokic, but quite frankly outplayed him.

While guarded by Jokic the former Wildcat scored 13 points and shot 6-8 from the field. But with Ayton defending Jokic, he added 11 points but shot just 5-14.

Collectively, Ayton finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Jokic contributed with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Although Jokic lead the NBA with 60 double-doubles during the regular season this year, it was Ayton who secured one last night en route to the win. Both players logged 36 minutes, and Ayton also shot an overall 69.2 percent to Jokic’s 43.5 percent. Jokic also finished with four turnovers, while Ayton gave up the rock just once.

No matter what way you look at it, Ayton showed his might, and refused to let The Joker intimidate him. We might even be calling him “Batman” once this series reaches its conclusion.

Phoenix Suns Game 1 Takeaway: The Suns can win without Booker going off

The Suns pooled together a true team effort to snatch a Game 1 victory last night. Although they did this often during he regular season, thus far during the postseason, it took other-worldly efforts from Booker to do so.

Against the Lakers, Booker averaged 32.0 points and 7.0 assists per game during Phoenix’s wins, but during losses he averaged 25.0 points and 4.5 assists per game. Last night during what became a blowout victory for the Suns, Booker tallied 21 points and eight assists.

Booker’s solid, but not exactly awe-inspiring performance last night which still gave way to a no-doubt Phoenix victory tells us that the Suns no longer need monster performances from him every night if they hope to continue winning.

Picking up the slack last night, Mikal Bridges enjoyed his finest playoff game thus far during his young career. The third-year forward scored 23 points, going 4-8 from beyond the arc and 8-12 collectively from the field. It too feels warranted to credit Bridges with Phoenix’s second half resurgence, as it was his defensive play especially on Michael Porter Jr. combined with his timely 3-pointers that ignited the team’s 16-0 third quarter run.

Swingman Jae Crowder got into the action too, dropping 14 points for himself. Torrey Craig finally got some run as well, making good on it with nine points, shooting 2-5 from three. Perhaps the most encouraging offensive input came from Paul though, who finished with 21 points while shooting 57.1 percent, both coming as playoff highs for him during this year’s campaign.

Booker’s unforgettable playoff performances will always go appreciated, but knowing that his teammates behind him possesses the ability to score as well must feel comforting, especially if Booker ever where to experience an off-night.