The Phoenix Suns find themselves tied up in the Western Conference semifinals after losing to the Dallas Mavericks 111-101 Sunday afternoon. After looking like themselves and dominating the first two games, that all quickly disappeared in Dallas.
After losing two straight, they find themselves in an unfortunate situation where they have been a couple times.
The Suns know all too well about being tied 2-2 in the playoffs, as they were just tied with the Play-In winner New Orleans Pelicans a couple weeks ago. That series saw both teams alternate wins, until the Suns won both Games 5 and 6.
We also saw Devin Booker limp off the court in Game 2, and all the attention was on Chris Paul and his heroics. But all in all, we all saw the Suns pull that series out, knowing they were the more talented team and knowing are the best team in the league when grooving.
After that, we do not have to go far back to find the Suns tied 2-2 in the playoffs, this time against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals last year. That series, the Suns jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and then lost four, yes four straight games to the Bucks with the help of MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo going for a 50-point game to seal the deal.
This series has a lot of similarities to the current series; Suns going up 2-0 winning the first two at home, and the opposing team being led by an international, young superstar who looks unstoppable.
Last year, Giannis averaged over 35 points a game, over 13 rebounds, and five assists, and like I said, dropped the sixth most points in an NBA Finals game with 50. If you remember back, that series we also could not comprehend how to guard the Greek Freak without hearing the whistle blown for a foul.
He visited the free throw line 85 times in a six game span, the second leading free throw taker was Devin Booker with thirty two.
always remember the bucks were done 0-2 in the finals and then giannis…
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 1, 2022
G3: …put up 42-12-4
G4: …put up 26-14-8 and an all-time game-saving block at the rim
G5: …put up 32-9-6 and had an all-time game-saving alley oop dunk
G6: …put up 50-14-5 and won a title
Fast forwarding to the current series, Luka Doncic has also looked unreal. He is nearly averaging 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Even though he is not on pace for 85 free throw attempts, he does lead the series in charity stripe shots.
The Suns have tried different defensive tactics and the Mavs have been very good at countering them. Now with the series tied heading back to Phoenix, the ball is in the Suns’ court on how to contain Doncic, as well as their hot 3-point shooters.
This series and the Finals series last year just feel the same. Going up 2-0, fanbase feeling confident and looking ahead, to being tied and wondering can the Suns stop this superstar player on the opposing team?
Regardless, the Suns still possess home court in the series, and the Suns are going to try and use that to their advantage. If not, it will look very similar to last year’s season ending, to an international young stud who has a style of play the NBA just doesn’t know how to stop.