Despite beating the Minnesota Timberwolves three straight times during the regular season, the Phoenix Suns were thoroughly outplayed in their Game 1 matchup in the opening round of the playoffs. Anthony Edwards having himself a breakout performance, en route to finishing with 33 points.
Kevin Durant tallied 31 himself - in what was another masterclass in scoring difficult shots in all manner of ways - but this was a game that the Timberwolves simply wanted more. The Suns appearing to deviate too much from the game plan that had given them so much success in this matchup during the regular season.
Time is still on the Suns' side to get this right and advance to the next round, but they are going to have to mix things up in Game 2.
The prospect of heading back to The Valley 2-0 is unthinkable, and head coach Frank Vogel will know he didn't get the best out of most of his players in the opening game defeat. Then again, the Timberwolves did finish the regular season 56-26, and had the best defensive rating in the entire league at 108.4.
It already feels like Durant is in line to have a massive series - but if he doesn't get the help from his teammates - then it is not going to matter. Looking at this from an optimistic point of view though, and Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns isn't likely to be as effective or engaged throughout the remainder of this series. At least that's what the Suns hope.
3. Get Devin Booker going
The Suns really needed Devin Booker to have one of his trademark offensive masterclasses in Game 1, but it did not happen. It was clear from early in the first-quarter that it was Durant who was going to be carrying the load, with Booker fading into the background.
He finished with 18 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the field - and outside of some tough makes that were sprinkled throughout the contest - he did not have much of an impact at all. A far cry from the guy who led the postseason in scoring last season, at 33.7 per game. Finishing with four fouls and a game score of -15 was not what coach Vogel would have had in mind from his franchise cornerstone.
"I think he'll have a great Game 2."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 20, 2024
Kevin Durant on Devin Booker after Booker going for just 18 points on 5-of-16 (2-of-6 from 3) in Game 1 loss to Timberwolves. #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Qy6csqLFDk
In Game 2, the Suns simply have to do a better job of getting Booker some easier looks. Durant generally had Rudy Gobert on him on the offensive end, while when the Suns were defending, he split time between Gobert and Towns. Which left both the super effective Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to annoy Booker and stop him getting into a rhythm.
Whether this will be through basic switches or running more complicated plays to get Booker open and away from that duo, this has to be a priority in Game 2. If he can score a pile of points early, it will give the Timberwolves more to think about. As it was Edwards was roaming around as a free safety at times, with the fans feeding off his energy and the hustle of McDanels and Alexander-Walker.