Game Day Playoff Edition — Round 2, Game 1 — Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns, Monday 6/7/2021

[ShelC]

What a total team effort. We neutralized Jokic for the most part and only AG and Green really got some offense off. Campazzo hit some shots, but we didn't let them get what they want.

Paul took over in the 4th so the shoulder looks good. Bridges with one of his best games maybe ever. DA's energy was great and he outplayed Jokic IMO. Crowder and Craig just monsters on both ends at the 4. Was good to see Dario get some time as well, there are some good matchups for him on the Nugs. Reggie said it - didn't have to ride Book tonight offensively so he can save it a bit for later. Great Game 1!

[The Bobster]

Field Goal Attempts by Suns starters -

Paul - 14
Crowder - 13
Ayton - 13
Bridges -12
Booker - 12

[LVSunsFAN]

How refreshing to have a game without douchebaggery!!!
The refs were neutral
The other team didn't flop, whine, kick Crowder in the groin and then complain about how dirty WE supposedly are.

[virtual9mm]

Game 1's have been kind of fluky in these playoff so far.

I'm not sure what adjustments the Nuggets can make defensively. I thought their game plan was pretty solid and I'm sure they didn't anticipate Mikal having a huge game.

Yep, and if they adjust for Bridges - next man up. Let Cam J or Cam P light 'em up.

Here's the hypotheses we have confirmed:

(1) CP3 is feeling healthy. Not much more that Campazzo can do besides be the pest that he was.

(2) Ayton can guard Jokic in single coverage. This takes away their game plan, of Jokic drawing the double and creating open shots.

(3) MPJ is for real but he's not enough to be the #2 guy on a title squad. He went a bit chucker mode today.

(4) Gordon can slow Booker on defense and is a great hustle guy on offense. He'd have fit in quite well in Phoenix.

Offensively, if anyone else on the Suns besides CP3, Booker, and Ayton step up -- there's literally no way that the Nuggets can cover that fourth player. Defensively, the Suns have the Nuggets solved so far.

I think that the Nuggets will recognize that Ayton is the key defensively and try to attack him to get him into foul trouble. Not sure what else they can do to adjust but NBA coaches are smarter than me so I'm sure we'll see some interesting wrinkles in Game 2. Protect the home court in the first two games and the Suns will be in good shape.

[virtual9mm]

And Dario being back out of his funk will be huge, especially if Ayton is sitting with foul trouble.

[Mori Chu]

[Split T]

Saric! Fadeaway, no time on the clock, never in doubt haha

Some Kawhi on the Raptors bounce skills

[pickle]

Game 1's have been kind of fluky in these playoff so far.

I'm not sure what adjustments the Nuggets can make defensively. I thought their game plan was pretty solid and I'm sure they didn't anticipate Mikal having a huge game.

Mikal was instrumental when he scored 8 consecutive points when the rest of the team seemed to be stifled by their defense. We had way too many careless passes.

[Wally_West]

FUCK YEAH!

[3rdside]

Amongst other things, that felt like a ‘DA’s seriously starting to realise his own potential’ game - a mega dunk, a finesse left handed finger roll from the Paul assist and huge alley from Payne catch for the double handed jam.

[specialsauce]

Oooooooooof that felt good

[specialsauce]

Amongst other things, that felt like a ‘DA’s seriously starting to realise his own potential’ game - a mega dunk, a finesse left handed finger roll from the Paul assist and huge alley from Payne catch for the double handed jam.

Give the man whatever he wants. He has proven he has that playoff gear that I didn’t think he had.

[specialsauce]

Saric! Fadeaway, no time on the clock, never in doubt haha

Some Kawhi on the Raptors bounce skills

My God I hope those are his last minutes for the series

[specialsauce]

Huge acquisition

[Split T]

He’s locking in that max contract for sure…even if I’m still skeptical to give it to him…hard to argue if he’s going to do this in the playoffs. He outplayed the mvp tonight. This is a sweep if we get this Ayton, this Bridges, and this CP3

[Superbone]

Best Ayton game so far?

He sure played MVP Jokic straight up. That's a huge win.

[pickle]

Jokic seemed strangely complacent today.

[Wally_West]

Great win but can’t underestimate Denver. They are gonna comeback punching.

[The Bobster]

Ayton with only 1 personal foul guarding the presumptive MVP.

[Superbone]

Just finished the first half. We can’t play from behind the whole way. Need to punch them in the mouth to start the 3rd.

Boy did they not. Same pattern as the first two quarters. But then BLAMMO! We took over halfway through the third and never looked back. Great win! Was Paul playing rope-a-dope? All of a sudden he was back to his old self finishing up in style.

Let's not play from behind in game two, please.