This one certainly deserves a thread on it's own...
This has been a home team series so far as we head to Phoenix for the finale...
As I have said in my posts the last week, the turnovers on the road have been immense for the Suns...
Home Games:
Game 1 = 10 turnovers and -2 on points resulting
Game 2 = 17 turnovers and +2 on points resulting
Game 5 = 12 turnovers and +7 on points resulting
Road Games:
Game 3 = 17 turnovers and -7 on points resulting
Game 4 = 17 turnovers and -14 on points resulting
Game 6 = 22 turnovers and -23 on points resulting
That has basically been the story. The Suns have gotten worse EACH road game this series. Now, though, they are back in the friendly confines but with A LOT more pressure than they have been previously in the series.
This series has not had a close game yet. Yes, Game 1 had a narrow margin of 7 but that was a furious rally after being down over 20 points in the 4th quarter. This is a hard part to cap... which team can execute if we have a tight game 7? We have no history this series to look back on.
The only elimination game that this present Suns team has faced was Game 6 of last years Finals. They have played from ahead in all these other series until now..
4-2
4-0
4-2
2-4
4-2
An NBA best record of 64-18, this Suns team was a favorite to win it all this year. Now, they have a do or die Game 7 against a Mavs team that has at least been part of a Game 7 last year (succumbed to the Clippers). The Mavs actually led that series 3-2 before the Clips rallied to win the last two.
I think the key to this game is obvious... and that is Cliff Paul. He was brilliant in the blowout Game #2 but since then has been well below average. He is turning the ball over a lot. When he isn't churning, this offense gets a bit stale. Now, we know the role players will play better at home. That is generally a given, but will that be enough?
The X factor will be Dallas 3pt shooting. We know how much of their offense comes from behind the line. If they have some ridiculous 18-39 kind of effort, they likely will win or be right there. Conversely, they could pull a Houston Rockets from few years back and quietly go back home. The same applies here as far as role players go... much tougher on the road.
Brunson is another key. He was taken out of the series the first two in Phoenix. Since then, he has gotten himself going and Dallas has won 3 of the 4 contests.
All unders since the first 2 games in Phoenix, including an elimination game under tonight...
I think Phoenix does respond but with a top 5 player on the other side you really cannot count out anything...
This has been a home team series so far as we head to Phoenix for the finale...
As I have said in my posts the last week, the turnovers on the road have been immense for the Suns...
Home Games:
Game 1 = 10 turnovers and -2 on points resulting
Game 2 = 17 turnovers and +2 on points resulting
Game 5 = 12 turnovers and +7 on points resulting
Road Games:
Game 3 = 17 turnovers and -7 on points resulting
Game 4 = 17 turnovers and -14 on points resulting
Game 6 = 22 turnovers and -23 on points resulting
That has basically been the story. The Suns have gotten worse EACH road game this series. Now, though, they are back in the friendly confines but with A LOT more pressure than they have been previously in the series.
This series has not had a close game yet. Yes, Game 1 had a narrow margin of 7 but that was a furious rally after being down over 20 points in the 4th quarter. This is a hard part to cap... which team can execute if we have a tight game 7? We have no history this series to look back on.
The only elimination game that this present Suns team has faced was Game 6 of last years Finals. They have played from ahead in all these other series until now..
4-2
4-0
4-2
2-4
4-2
An NBA best record of 64-18, this Suns team was a favorite to win it all this year. Now, they have a do or die Game 7 against a Mavs team that has at least been part of a Game 7 last year (succumbed to the Clippers). The Mavs actually led that series 3-2 before the Clips rallied to win the last two.
I think the key to this game is obvious... and that is Cliff Paul. He was brilliant in the blowout Game #2 but since then has been well below average. He is turning the ball over a lot. When he isn't churning, this offense gets a bit stale. Now, we know the role players will play better at home. That is generally a given, but will that be enough?
The X factor will be Dallas 3pt shooting. We know how much of their offense comes from behind the line. If they have some ridiculous 18-39 kind of effort, they likely will win or be right there. Conversely, they could pull a Houston Rockets from few years back and quietly go back home. The same applies here as far as role players go... much tougher on the road.
Brunson is another key. He was taken out of the series the first two in Phoenix. Since then, he has gotten himself going and Dallas has won 3 of the 4 contests.
All unders since the first 2 games in Phoenix, including an elimination game under tonight...
I think Phoenix does respond but with a top 5 player on the other side you really cannot count out anything...
