Devin Booker Facing Cavaliers for First Time Since Taking a Shot at Them

Drowned out by green confetti, belligerently excited fans outside, and crates of free flowing champagne down the hall, nobody seemed to bat an eye when Devin Booker took an unprovoked shot after at the Cleveland Cavaliers following Game 6.

Last year, the Cavs missed the playoffs by a significant margin, and quite frankly had no business hearing their names mentioned during the Finals. But regardless, Booker still threw some shade Cleveland’s way, and with the Suns slated to face off against them this week, Booker’s words now ring louder than ever.

With Booker insinuating that the Suns should be able to dismantle the Cavaliers without much effort, he might motivate them to come out swinging against the Suns this Saturday night.

Although few expect the Cavaliers to make the postseason this year, they find themselves off to a decent start nonetheless, sporting a 2-3 record with impressive victories over the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks. Both those teams made the playoffs last year, and if they stay healthy, remain challengers to make the Conference Finals this year—just like the Suns.

Fueled right now by stellar starts to the season from young guns Jarrett Allen and Collin Sexton, the Cavaliers might indeed give the Suns more trouble than they, or Booker might originally expect. Coming off a loss against the Sacramento Kings, this contest has all the makings of a yet another “trap game” for the Suns, even with it set to play out on their own home floor.

Also coming into the fold for the Cavaliers steps former Suns point guard and fan favorite Ricky Rubio. Although Rubio spoke fondly about Booker recently, his first time back playing for a full Phoenix crowd adds only another storyline to this underrated, and potentially dramatic matchup.

If the Cavaliers do make things hard for the Suns, expect them to lean on Booker. Across his last three seasons, he averaged a whopping 30.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game against Cleveland.

Hopefully he keeps that up, leads the Suns to a much needed victory, and backs up his prior statement about Cleveland.