Phoenix Suns Game 5 Key #2: Pounding the offensive glass
This is pretty self-explanatory for the Suns. Ayton was an absolute beast on the boards in Game 4, securing a career-high 22 rebounds while dominating the Clippers front line. Ayton had nine offensive boards, while everyone else had eight. Mikal Bridges also grabbed 13 rebounds, with three coming on the offensive end.
Time and time again in Game 4, the Suns grabbed clutch offensive rebounds to take as much air out of LA’s sails as possible. In a game where both teams combined for 29 points in the fourth quarter, offensive rebounding was absolutely critical to victory.
This will also be true in Game 5. The Clippers will adjust by sending two defenders to box out Ayton at all times, so Bridges and Crowder must continue to aggressively crash the offensive glass.
Booker and Paul should also do this, but at a more occasional rate, as we still need guys to hustle back on defense to prevent easy fast breaks. Cameron Johnson has also been huge coming off the bench, look for him to snag some timely puts back when the Suns need them most as well