Little suspense in the first round of the playoffs in the West, in the series between denver and Minnesota (4-1) as well as phoenix and LA Clippers (4-1). Qualified without trembling for the rest of the competition, nuggets And Suns find themselves in the semi-finals of the conference and, one like the other, they need to test themselves, and win, against a renowned opponent to set themselves up as credible candidates for the final coronation.
On paper, it’s hard to name a favorite, but just two years after knocking out Denver in the conference semifinals, Phoenix seems to be holding the line more, in the wake of his duo Kevin Durant – Devin Booker. Supported in particular by Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, the two crazy scorers from Arizona are starting to find their marks next to each other and such a duo can, as against the Clippers in the previous round, unlock a match of their own. alone and help navigate troubled waters.
Opposite, the best team in the West in the regular season will have a lot to do to, on the one hand, hold its rank and, on the other hand, resist the offensive furia of these Suns. Under the impulsion of Nikola Jokic And Jamal Murrayas well as their home advantage, the Nuggets have arguments to make but everything suggests that this is their moment: the one who must finish convincing the most skeptical that they have the build of a title contender.
NUGGET PRESENTATION
Holders: J. Murray, K. Caldwell-Pope, M. Porter Jr, A. Gordon, N. Jokic
The substitutes: R. Jackson, I. Smith, B. Brown, C. Braun, P. Watson, I. Green, V. Cancar, Z. Nnaji, T. Bryant, D. Jordan
Absent : C. Gillespie
The coach: Mr Malone
Wouldn’t this be the best squad Denver has ever assembled around Nikola Jokic? The starting line-up is as balanced as it is strong with three – or even four – All-Star caliber players, a few defenders have been recruited (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown) and the “trade deadline” has made it possible to register the arrivals of solid rotations (Thomas Bryant and Reggie Jackson). Except that the bench is still not the most influential there is, the whole does not breathe serenity all the time and there are still some questions about the chances of the Nuggets against “contenders”. In this sense, challenging Phoenix represents an ideal test…
STRONG POINTS
– Jamal Murray/Nikola Jokic axis. The first round against Wolves confirmed it: between a Murray who seems born for end-of-season battles and who manages to raise his level of play at the best time, or a Jokic at the top of his game and his basketball, the Nuggets can rely on a very, very classy duo that can drive a lot of people crazy. All the more important when you know that Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, to name a few, are facing Denver and the salvation of Michael Malone’s men in this series will necessarily go through this tandem.
– The balance sheet in the major meetings. Against the other Top 6 teams in the Western Conference, the Nuggets have a record of 13 wins and 4 losses. The proof that Michael Malone’s men are capable of raising their level of play when the opponent is strong and that’s good: every playoff game is a poster, so overconfidence is not very frequent, while the e have sometimes seen Denver being surprised by the worst students in the league. Another important element, this record of 25-16 in the “clutch” which demonstrates the ability of Nikola Jokic’s teammates to shine in the “money time”.
WEAK POINTS
– A bench too discreet in the playoffs. Something tells us that the battle for replacements will be worth its weight in gold in this series, because the Nuggets are, like the Suns, not known for having a “second unit” of quality. Despite profiles like Reggie Jackson, Bruce Brown, Christian Braun, Jeff Green, Vlatko Cancar or even Thomas Bryant and DeAndre Jordan, Michael Malone’s men are struggling to positively reverse the course of a match without their starters. Of course, the latter collect almost all the minutes in the playoffs, but when they rest, it is important to be able to hold on and/or accelerate.
– What references in the playoffs? If we except the particular context of the “bubble” of Orlando, which had allowed them to qualify for the conference final by recovering two delays of 3-1 (but without home advantage), the Nuggets did not pass only two playoff rounds under the Nikola Jokic era. Between injuries and collective limits, Denver has never really been able to approach a playoff campaign in full possession of its means and we still sometimes wonder if this group, sometimes fragile, is to be taken really seriously or if it is not is still only a regular season team. The answer should be soon…
SUNS PRESENTATION
Holders: C. Paul, D. Booker, J. Okogie, K. Durant, D. Ayton
The substitutes: C. Payne, L. Shamet, D. Lee, T. Ross, T. Craig, T. Warren, I. Wainright, D. Bazley, J. Landale, B. Biyombo
Absent :/
The coach: Mr. Williams
By separating from Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder or Dario Saric to make way for Kevin Durant during the season, the Suns have struck a blow and automatically boost their title chances. Not enough to erect them, however, as great favorites, because their collective experience is not the same as that of other contenders. Nevertheless, the presence of “KD”, Devin Booker, Chris Paul or Deandre Ayton is enough to make Phoenix a serious candidate for the trophy, despite a bench which did not give satisfaction in the first round (or which does not did not have the opportunity…).
STRONG POINTS
– An impressive strike force. No team in the league can claim to have a quartet as powerful, complete and even complementary as that of the Suns: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. Together, the four major players in Phoenix are 12-1 and their weaknesses are, on the one hand, rare and, on the other hand, not so easy to exploit. On each side of the floor, the potential of Monty Williams’ men seems unlimited – or almost – and, to hinder them, they will have to be pushed not to rely on the Durant/Booker/Paul trio, but to force their teammates to no longer hide.
– A group cut to win. Without Kevin Durant, but with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the Suns already had a case to make to go far in the playoffs, reaching the Finals two years ago before finishing with the league’s best record a year. later. But with a double MVP of the Finals now in their ranks, the men of Monty Williams can project themselves serenely and imagine finishing champions for the very first time, within two months. History to validate the recent gamble of Matt Ishbia and James Jones?
WEAK POINTS
– The fragility. Sure, the Suns are scary on paper, but there are flaws in this team. Starting with the physical aspect, since veterans Kevin Durant and Chris Paul have not been known for their robustness for a few years, while Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are also likely to go through the infirmary box when it is not necessary. Given the playing times of Durant (44), Booker (43) and Paul (39) in the first round, we can also ask ourselves questions about their ability to chain and keep the same level of performance, if a series of playoffs stretches a little too much and that the bench disappoints.
– The lack of life. These “new look” Suns are rather attractive since the arrival of Kevin Durant, but their group has recently been assembled and, in the playoffs, this could play tricks on them against a team which does not lack automatisms. Especially if it forces them to stand up collectively to get out of a perilous situation. In general, these more sensitive moments reveal what a locker room is made of and what its players have in store, but, until now, it is still unclear who the men of Monty Williams really are: an obvious favorite or an outsider. limit ?
THE KEY TO THE SERIES
– Contain the Phoenix Attack. With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker or Chris Paul, without forgetting Deandre Ayton, the Suns have enough to hurt any opponent and one wonders if it is really possible to defeat such an armada. Diminished, the Clippers did not succeed and the Nuggets, generally serious in defense in the first round, should not miss to slow down the men of Monty Williams, because it is good on the defensive level (at half distance and on “pick-and-roll”…) that this series should play out. It’s up to Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown and even Jeff Green to ensure in this area.
REGULAR SEASON
Tied 2-2
– December 25th : denver – Phoenix (128-125)
– January 11: denver – Phoenix (126-97)
– March, 31st : phoenix –Denver (100-93)
– April 6: phoenix – Denver (119-115)
VERDICT
Even if the Suns do not have the advantage of the ground in this series, one imagines however a hair more equipped to go after than the Nuggets, tactically, technically and mentally. In this sense, even if they did not necessarily reassure against the Clippers, the teammates of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker seem to us to be able to crack those of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray over time.
On the one hand, because their offensive strike force is unparalleled in the NBA and their mastery at mid-range or on “pick-and-roll” will be difficult to be contained by the Colorado franchise. On the other hand, because the experience of their executives should allow them to make up for the lack of depth in their workforce, while Deandre Ayton has the profile to hinder the Serbian “Joker” of the Rockies, as evidenced by his history against him .
Of course, Denver knows that its defense will have to be irreproachable to take control of this series, but we doubt Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray or even Michael Porter Jr. in this sector and, facing attackers like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker or Chris Paul, these shortcomings could quickly prove to be problematic. It was up to Phoenix to press very early on to impose its mark on this conference semi-final, as undecided as possible and which looked like the Finals before the hour.
Phoenix 4-2
PLAYOFFS CALENDAR
Game 1: in Denver, Saturday, April 29 (2:30 a.m., Saturday night through Sunday)
Game 2: in Denver, Monday, May 1 (04:00, Monday night through Tuesday).
Game 3: in Phoenix, Friday, May 5 (04:00, Friday night to Saturday).
Game 4: in Phoenix, Sunday, May 7 (02:00, Sunday night to Monday).
Game 5*: in Denver, Tuesday, May 9 (TBD, Tuesday night through Wednesday).
Game 6*: in Phoenix, Thursday, May 11 (TBD, Thursday night through Friday).
Game 7*: in Denver, Sunday May 14 (to be determined, Sunday night to Monday).
* If necessary.
