As in Game 1, Anthony Edwards and his teammates ramped up in the third quarter of Game 2, and as in the first set, the Suns gave in to this pressure. For the second time in a row, Frank Vogel's troops had a big Wolves highlight to deal with and each time, the dams gave way.
In almost eleven minutes in the second period, the Phoenix players conceded a 33-13… “We need to manage this pressure better”, announces the Suns coach.
How ? “I think we did some good things in the first half, which worked very well in terms of offensive movement”continues Frank Vogel. “We didn't continue when they accelerated. We didn't stay within the instructions, we lost too many possessions because of that. We lost our concentration because it's the first time we're together. »
Do the Suns lack the collective experience to make a difference? A fault from which the Wolves suffered precisely, against the Nuggets in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. Without doubt, especially after a season where injuries and absences were numerous and prevented the “Big Three” from finding their feet.
Bradley Beal talks to him about “mental toughness” to overcome these complicated times. “It’s the rhythm of a match, it happens,” continues the playmaker. “When things get heated, everyone wants to make the decisive action and we rush. So we lose balloons and everything becomes disorganized. »
Imperative to stay the course and calm when things are rocking
Even if the team has changed, it was already the same problem last season, in the conference semi-final against Denver. When the opposing team makes its team speak and raises its level, the Suns remain on the side of the road. Although, in 2023, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker had increased their offensive output to bring Phoenix into existence. For the moment, after two matches, no star has really put out a great performance.
“We have to be focused and not lose our concentration. The referees didn't win the match, it was Wolves who beat us. When they score and we don't make the saves, we can't lose our organization or as many balls. We didn’t keep our calm”regrets the coach.
In addition to being down 2-0, Arizona players saw Grayson Allen aggravate his right ankle injury. The shooter was injured in Game 1 and there, in the third quarter, on a defensive action against Mike Conley, he was hurt again.
He did not return to the game and the first examinations did not reveal a fracture. His series is therefore not over, but the two days before Game 3 (Friday evening) will perhaps not be enough to allow him to breathe. “I landed on a player's heel and my ankle turned severely”, comments the one who did not register than a winning basket in two matches.
