Even if Jusuf Nurkic was not there, this first quarter, at home, against the Clippers, was particularly embarrassing for the Suns. After 12 minutes, Phoenix was trailing by 27 points (10-37) with a Bradley Beal – Devin Booker – Kevin Durant trio at 0/12 shooting, for 4 points in total and 4 turnovers!
Frank Vogel also took three timeouts in less than four minutes of effective playing time, trying to shake up his players but it was only in the second half that the team finally woke up.
Even if they had come back to 7 points (84-91) in the fourth quarter, the Suns started too far (37 points behind in the second quarter). After the meeting, the coach and his players were logically questioned about the team's lack of energy, at such a decisive moment of the season.
A lack of “offensive hardness”
All refused to point the finger at individual responsibilities, with Kevin Durant explaining that Phoenix “won and lose as a team”but his coach admitted that the level of frustration is ” pupil “even if he assured that his players were “solidarity, connected and confident”. While highlighting a problem…
“Our offensive hardness” he explains. “We have to fight for our positions. We have to play better in the face of physical impact, and it's not just in this match, it's also in previous matches. The opponents want to crash into us, make us change trajectory and make mistakes. This is playoff basketball. »
The coach will still complain about the Clippers' defense on Devin Booker, limited to 12 points at 1/11 shooting, Frank Vogel estimating that Los Angeles constantly made mistakes on the back.
But as his team headed toward the play-in, Devin Booker gave a reassuring speech.
“I've been there before. I already had the best record in the NBA (in 2021/22) and everyone will say that the only thing that matters is what we do in the playoffs. It’s a week away and that’s where the story begins.”
At this rate, you will have to go through (at least) a “life and death” match beforehand. While the opponents, like the Pelicans and the Clippers, have clearly seen that these Suns have difficulty responding when they are pushed.
