Phoenix Suns Stat #2: Turnover Margin
Jrue Holiday has aggressively pressured Suns point guard Chris Paul all series long, which has greatly disrupted Phoenix’s offense. Of course, Holiday made the one steal that not only stole away Game 5, but also emboldened Milwaukee’s Twitter account to steal “Valley-Oop” away from the Suns.
Inside the Valley Oop. pic.twitter.com/VcPstK0lrE
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 19, 2021
Booker’s turnover may have been devastating on that play, but the Suns only turned over the ball eight times in Game 5, whereas Milwaukee turned it over 11 times. As that play has shown however, the amount of turnovers is less important than the time in which they occur. Obviously, late game turnovers are far more devastating than ones made earlier.
Moreover, the Suns combined for a ghastly 31 turnovers on the road in Games 3 and 4. With a Milwaukee home crowd as raucous as ever, I expect Holiday and Khris Middleton to be even more active in pressuring the ball and going for steals.
No matter what, the Suns must take care of the ball tonight. If they do not, Milwaukee will get several fast break points off turnovers.