If the final phases started today, the Suns Devin Booker would not have to go through the “play-in”. The Arizona men are virtually qualified directly for the playoffs after their big victory at home against the Cavaliers (122-101). A great operation for the Suns who, despite their hellish schedule, remain on six victories in eight outings.
With his 40 points, Booker was the main explanation for this 45th victory of the season, one less than their opponents in the evening. Even more efficient than him in terms of shooting, Kevin Durant (32 points) also did a lot of harm to the opposing defense. The two men, at 30 points or more in the same match for only the 2nd time this season, alternated sequences with or without the ball to find each other.
The Cavaliers in difficulty
Phoenix relied on this complicity between them throughout the evening, particularly during a one-sided first period (72-47), where the locals, with an awkward Bradley Beal but very involved collectively, counted up to 28 points ahead. Solid in defense, the Suns stole a lot of balls from the visitors before going into transition. And overall, displayed a much better 3-point skill (12/18 at the break).
Very behind in the score, the Cavaliers, more comfortable in the internal fight, still found a way to react at the start of the second half. But Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and the others may have signed a 10-0 to get closer for a while, Phoenix, with its two chief fireworks, did not panic to finish the third quarter with even more than 20 points in advance (98-77). The fourth quarter will have no effect on the final outcome.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– No real garbage time. While the gap flirted with 20 points in favor of the Suns for most of the game, all the starters on both teams played more than 30 minutes. The sign of the approach of the playoffs to keep the protagonists in rhythm? One thing is certain, JB Bickerstaff has long thought that his team could get back together. As a result, Frank Vogel, whose team did not always reassure in the fourth quarter, preferred to keep his managers in play.
– “Role players” up to the task. Hit in the hip, Grayson Allen was on the bench in civilian clothes last night. Royce O'Neale replaced him brilliantly. He took advantage of the spaces generated by the Devin Booker – Kevin Durant duel to punish effectively from afar. The former Nets player accompanied the two strong men well, while Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic did not insist with their shots. Another high-impact role player in the Suns game is Bol Bol. His entry in the first period energized the premises, both in transition and on set plays.
– Missed opportunity for Cleveland. While the Bucks fell to the Grizzlies, the Ohio players missed an opportunity to move a little closer to second place in the East. But the Cavs don't have the easiest schedule to do so. Embarked on this series of matches in the West, they continue with the double trip to Los Angeles where they will meet the two local teams.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
