Phoenix Suns Game 4 Key: Convert on high-percentage looks
While the box-score may lead you to ask questions of Phoenix’s offensive fluidity, their series-low 92 points occurred more so due to them missing great looks, rather than the offense actually stagnating. This is not to discredit LA’s elite defense in any way, but Phoenix’s creation did look great, and their shooting was just woeful.
To an extent, it even felt like an unsustainably bad shooting night in the beginning, especially considering the looks Phoenix’s top players were getting. Patrick Beverley’s defense on Devin Booker has been one of the biggest talking points in the last two games, and rightfully so, as he’s caused Booker to turn over the rock, take heavily contested shots, and deny the ball at an unusually high rate.
However, Booker’s elite off-ball movement still led him to some great open looks that he just missed. While some of these misses can be attributed to rhythm, you have to expect Booker to still hit at least some of those shots.
As mentioned before, even Paul, an all-time great midrange jump shooter, missed some open ones in Game 3. It happens, but Phoenix’s shot-making simply needs to improve in Game 4. I for one, believe we can reasonably expect this to happen, leading to a closer game.