Without much else to do, the Phoenix Suns and Devin Booker have no choice but to simply wait for their next opponent. The Los Angeles Clippers have taken a 3-2 series lead over the Utah Jazz in an exciting Western Conference Semifinals, with Suns fans anxiously keeping an eye on the series. With Kawhi Leonard possibly out of the mix though, who might Booker be facing off against during the Western Conference Finals?
First, let us start with Booker against Donovan Mitchell. Two electrifying young scorers who carry the load for their teams in that respect. As you look at their head-to-head numbers, it will be an absolute scoring showdown.
Career numbers in games against each other indicate Mitchell has gotten the better of Booker though. Mitchell, averaging 25.5 points per game against Booker, is 7-4 in those contests. But Booker, averaging 24.9 points per game, has seen more recent success against Mitchell, winning their last three matchups.
With matchup highs of 59 points for the Phoenix Suns’ Booker, and 41 points for the opposing Mitchell, it indicates that the matchup will be must see television.
Expect Booker to use his mid-range finesse and scoring instincts against the Jazz often. For Mitchell, expect a mix of chucking up 3-pointers, shooting 41 percent on them this postseason, and relentless crafty finishes.
We get another potentially fun matchup for the Phoenix Suns with Devin Booker going up against Paul George.
A lot has happened since early January with both the Suns and the Clippers, but one cannot forget the already established beef between Booker and George from earlier this year when analyzing this matchup.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1345931487632379904?s=20
Even though George is known for his underwhelming playoff performances, he is averaging 25.9 points per game this postseason. Booker is averaging 27.9 points per game throughout the postseason himself though, and shows no signs of letting up.
The Phoenix Suns have not faired well against George. George record-wise owns this matchup going 10-3. However, there is context to this, as when Booker was just coming into the league, George was already an established star.
With averages of 24.1 points per game for Booker, and 24.6 points per game for George in their head-to-head bouts, the two wing players are nearly identical. Although there are not as many fantastic performances compared to with the Mitchell matchup, there are still eight total 30-point performances between both Booker and George.
My guess is that Booker to get the better of George individually. But one thing I do know for sure—this matchup will become heated at one point or another.