Western Conference Round 2, Game 5: Suns (2-2) @ Nuggets (2-2), Tues 5/09/23

[Superbone]

Time: 7:00 pm AZ (7:00 pm PT/10:00 pm ET)
Place: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
TV: TNT

The Suns took care of business at home. NOW we have a series. Suns are going to have to take one in Denver to win the series. Might as well be this one and avoid a potential game 7 all together. Can Booker continue his legendary performance? Can KD build on his improved performance in Game 4? Can Landry Shamet continue his foray into the good graces of Phoenix Suns fans everywhere? Tune in to find out.

Note: I am out of town. Somebody please make the game day threads for the next week. (PLEASE be a next week!)

‪https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/suns.pdf
‪https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/nuggets.pdf

Go Suns!!!

Dis • cuss

[Flagrant Fowl]

The Nuggets are much better at home and still have a lot of really good players. Even though they have a potential Game 7 at home, their backs are against the wall now just like the Suns' were going into Game 3. We all know the feeling of that psychological defeat from losing 3 games in a row, so the Nuggets are definitely going to fight like hell for this win.

The Suns will be in it if Booker and KD are still hot and the role players bring the energy to match the hostile environment. I just think this is going to be a very frustrating game for Suns fans. Try to keep an open mind when things aren't clicking perfectly for the whole game.

The Suns tempo has been a huge boon for them in this series, but I worry about it's effectiveness in Denver. It seems like there'd be a greater chance of fatigue late in the game if they're trying to run hard in the first half.

[Nodack]

I am hoping Monty has a wrinkle in his game plan that causes headaches for the Nuggets. I have a feeling the Nuggets are going to come out with their intensity meter on 10 the first few minutes and the Suns need a plan to weather that storm without getting in foul trouble and being down by 10. Can Shamet build on his miracle game or was it just a freaky line up of the planets that night?

The negative side of my brain worries Booker is operating at 110% and runs an increased risk of injury due to his minutes, aggressiveness and lack of fear. I guess that’s the playoffs. Put your chips on a color and let it ride.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I'll add that while the Nuggets are and should be favorites to win this game, I think they're in some trouble defensively. It's obvious they can't really guard the Suns straight up, so they need to implement a lot of "junk defenses" in an effort to take the Suns out of their rhythm. The Suns (Booker & KD) have pretty much hit the point that they will carve up anything that's shown to them for more than a couple possessions in a row.

So the Nuggets should basically try to mimic what the Clippers did in round 1, but that's not their team identity and trying to get too far off of schedule could actually create more issues elsewhere. My hope is that they're so concerned about the defensive end their role players aren't as keyed in on the offensive side and miss their opportunities to swing the game.

[Mori Chu]

This game is going to be really tough. We beat Denver in our arena because their role players didn't show up on the road. But those same guys will be much better at home. We need to stay home on guys like KCP and MPJ, both of whom will likely be threats tonight. I think we should stick to single-coverage on Jokic so we don't lose track of these other guys. And I bet Murray goes for 35+ tonight. It's going to take everything we've got. But if we can steal this one, the series is ours.

[Nodack]

If it looks like Murray is going off, I hope they step up their help defense on him. It’s like war. Plan for the unexpected, because that’s what’s coming most likely.

[Cap]

It’s like war. Plan for the unexpected, because that’s what’s coming most likely.

We’re entering enemy controlled territory, so watch for booby traps and land mines.

[TOO]

It’s like war. Plan for the unexpected, because that’s what’s coming most likely.

We’re entering enemy controlled territory, so watch for booby traps and land mines.

You had me at booby.

[ShelC]

Speaking of boobs

[djy2j]

Nugs going to come out swinging. Hopefully we can match their intensity and weather the storm for however long it way last

[ShelC]

DA get the ball knocked away under the basket on the opening play, Cam Payne steps out of bounds on the next play, Okogie gets a deflection and steal but misses the layup on a 1-3 with no other Suns even making it over halfcourt.

Guys better wake up.

[Shabazz]

What are Ayton and Payne doing??

[Wally_West]

Not a great start lol

[Wally_West]

This going to be the MPJ game huh?

[Wally_West]

We can’t afford Durant having another bad shooting night. We just can’t.

[Kryptonic]

This going to be the MPJ game huh?

ugh...

[Wally_West]

KD’s ball security has been such garbage this series.

[Kryptonic]

wtf is ayton doing?

[Wally_West]

What a horrid start lol

[Kryptonic]

it's payneful