Phoenix Suns Game 5 Keys to Victory: Controlling the Fouls…Obviously
Any time a star player on your team gets disqualified with several minutes still to play, it’s something to fix. Even after Sunday’s game, Chris Paul has still scored more in the fourth quarter than any other player this postseason.
The Point God averages 8.7 points per final frame, and the Suns only lost by 10 points on Sunday. With him on board, you have to assume Phoenix would have put up a better fight in Game 4, and possibly even won.
However, Paul was not alone. During that same contest, JaVale McGee, Devin Booker, Jae Crowder, and Mikal Bridges all picked up four fouls. Things grew especially tough for Bridges and Crowder, who both picked up foul number four before the final period.
Circumstances like that make it difficult for any player to operate freely on the court, especially guys like Crowder and Bridges who also play a physical brand of defense.
Although most fans disliked the officiating in Game 4 which put this burden on Phoenix to begin with, the Suns cannot control the whistle. They can control themselves though, and need to do so more adequately in Game 5. As long as they relax and play cleaner ball, things should go smoothly.