Can the Suns steal a road win? See how Phoenix's transition game and Jalen Green's scoring must ignite to challenge the dominant Thunder.
Oklahoma City cruised to a 119-84 victory over Phoenix in Game 1. Nobody on the Thunder cracked 30 minutes, so the team is well-rested for the next clash. Can the Suns steal a game on the road? Or will the reigning champs dominate again?
Check out three key matchups for Game 2.
Suns’ Transition Offense
Phoenix lacks elite point guard play and therefore gives too much offensive responsibility to combo guards who struggle to dribble through tight spaces and ward off deflections. The Suns were able to navigate this roster flaw during the regular season, but it’s a death sentence against a Thunder defense that hunts steals and rarely botches rotations. This reality punched Phoenix in the face during Game 1, as Oklahoma City scored 34 points off turnovers.
Essentially, Phoenix’s offense is borderline incapable of consistently generating great half-court shots across an entire playoff game versus Oklahoma City. So what’s the plan? The Suns must avoid the Thunder’s half-court defense as much as possible and instead try to catch the champs in transition when their defense is not set.
Phoenix has plenty of three-point shooters who can run the court and knock down triples as trailers. The team is also playing smaller, faster lineups with Mark Williams sidelined, which makes it easier to push the pace. But these attempts do not happen without first getting defensive stops and defensive rebounds.
Jalen Green’s Scoring
Jalen Green averaged 35.5 points per game on 68.7% true shooting during the play-in tournament, but he came crashing down to Earth in Game 1 to the tune of 17 points on 47.9% true shooting.
The former second overall pick was visibly bothered by the Thunder’s physical perimeter defenders and could not consistently create enough space off the dribble. This has to change for Phoenix to avoid a sweep. Perhaps the Suns should make more of an effort to get Green the basketball inside the arc via pin downs or back screens. It's easier than trying to find gaps as a ball handler from the top of the key.
Thunder’s Energy
The playoffs have been a cold splash of water to the face for superior seeds, as Detroit, Boston, New York, San Antonio and Denver have all lost home-court advantage already.
The champs dominated in Game 1, but they cannot become too confident. Fortunately, it’s very difficult to play without energy inside Paycom Center because the noise feels like front row seats at a rock concert.