Phoenix Suns: 3 Adjustments to Make For Game 6 vs Clippers

Phoenix Suns Adjustment #1 for Game 6: Double Reggie Jackson, Paul George, and Marcus Morris

Reggie Jackson and George have dominated Phoenix’s defense throughout the entire series. In Game 5, “Playoff P” and “Mr. June” combined for 64 points while eviscerating any Suns player trying to guard them straight up.

Cam Johnson tried his absolute best here, while Devin Booker helped off his man to take away Jackson’s right hand drive. Still, it wasn’t enough. Jackson scored anyway at the buzzer.

Jackson has finally lived up to the considerable talent he once displayed in Oklahoma City and later in Detroit throughout his NBA career. He is too quick for any Suns players to guard straight up, so double-teaming him before he gets a full head of steam would be prudent.

Also, Jackson likes to go left and then come back to the middle to finish with his right hand. The Suns need to adjust accordingly, as a double-team here could work to cut him off before he makes this move, possibly forcing a turnover.

What about Paul George, the man once called Pandemic P?

George scored 41 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, while dishing out six assists in Game 5. Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder are having trouble guarding him toe-to-toe. So, the Suns need to send a second defender to help them out.

Especially on the pick-and-roll, the Suns need to double-team the ball every single time. They must stop switching! George is going to keep hitting these kinds of shots if the Suns keep switching…simple math.

On this play, Bridges needs to go over the top on the screen and force George to give up the ball as soon as Chris Paul steps out to hedge the screen. Double-teaming George will work: he turned the ball over six times in Game 5, and made several more passes that should have resulted in turnovers.

How to slow down Marcus Morris

The Suns need to assume Marcus Morris will sustain his red-hot shooting performance, still steaming from Game 5.

A quick scouting report on Morris: he likes to post up on the left block and then always goes to his right to hit a turnaround jump shot. The Suns need to either double him before he has the chance to turnaround for a fadeaway, or force him to the left block with Deandre Ayton waiting at the basket.

Speaking of Ayton, here is another defensive adjustment the Suns can make for Game 6 that would benefit him against LA’s small lineup.