Western Conference Round 1, Game 5: Clippers (1-3) @ Suns (3-1), Tues 4/25/23

[Superbone]

Time: 7:00 pm AZ (7:00 pm PT/10:00 pm ET)
Place: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
TV: BSAZ, TNT

The Suns look to apply the knockout punch Tuesday night. And just in time, reinforcements are here. Cam Payne is probable for game 5. The feisty Clippers will continue to battle, I'm sure, again without their top two players. Bless their little hearts.

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

Go Suns!!!

Dis • cuss

[Flagrant Fowl]

[Flagrant Fowl]

Even if George doesn’t play, the Clippers aren’t going to lay down and accept being eliminated.

Also, I can’t put a finger on it, but I think the Suns play better on the road in the playoffs. Maybe it’s just my own perception, but I think there’s something to the “us agains everyone” mentality on the road.

In summary, bet Clippers +12.5.

[Uncle_Gene]

I want the Suns to impose their will early. Clippers have played hard and with confidence. No more feeling each other out. It's time to get this series over with.

[Flagrant Fowl]

We’re all on the same page, Unc.

I just don’t see that being easy. The Clips have nothing to lose so they’re ready to risk it all.

[ShelC]

Clips' best chance is still to bomb away imo. Morris and RoCo didn't bring much last game but maybe they'll get another shot. Still, they'll need EG, Mann, Powell to hit their 3s while Westbrook keeps scoring to way he has been. Might be a tall order at this point in the series. I don't think Monty would make a change, but he could swap JO into the lineup and match him with Westbrook right away. Either way, we gotta do a better job of keeping him out of the lane.

[Mori Chu]

(Mortal Kombat voice) FINISH THEM!

[Superbone]

I see two possible outcomes. One, the Clippers fight us tooth and nail to the end and finally succumb to an obviously superior team. Two, we blow them out early and ride it out.

[Split T]

I vote blowout

[Split T]

We’re due for a bad Westbrook game

[Kryptonic]

I'm voting blow out... KD and BOOK are going to cook tonight! I expect a solid game from DA too

[Superbone]

We’re due for a bad Westbrook game

At least Westbrook won't get mad and shove Book in the back.

[Kryptonic]

We’re due for a bad Westbrook game

At least Westbrook won't get mad and shove Book in the back.

Facing this Clips team without Beverly has been a huge sigh of relief... Don't have to worry about some clown trying to hurt our stars.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I'm going the other way, I want a big game from Westbrook.

I think the best strategy is to guard him 1v1 and bait him into tough shots within 15 feet of the rim. Don't foul him on drives and take away the kick out to shooters. So what if he goes for 40/12/8 if none of his teammates can get into a rhythm? That's basically why the Wizards went 34-38 last season.

Keep Powell and the rotation guys at or below their average and the Suns will be thinking about tactics against the Nuggets tomorrow.

Edit: That's not to say I wouldn't appreciate a classic 5-18 Westbrook stinker, but I honestly think he's better than that as the first offensive option.

[JeremyG]

It feels like we are due for a blowout win. It's what we need anyway.

The only other time in this Suns era that we've had a 3-1 lead was against the Clippers, and we lost game 5 at home. Let's take care of business this time!

[Shabazz]

I think the Suns are right to leave Westbrook open from the perimeter, but they're also not walling off the paint. They're basically giving him an angle to build up speed and attack from. Like SVG said, "build a fucking wall."

[Cap]

We’re due for a bad Westbrook game

Like Game 1?

[Wally_West]

No more playing with our meat. We need to finish these guys off.

[Nodack]

I think we should mix up double teaming Powell and see how he does with that. Is he used to being double teamed? He might cough up the ball a few times. The Clippers have junked up their defenses all over the place trying to confuse the Suns and have had success. If Durant or Booker get anywhere near the ball they are instantly double teamed. The Suns seem content with one on one defense and letting Powell go off on them. In fact that seems to be their MO on every star they play. Let the star go off and stifle everyone else. I think that is a strategy that can work if you then in the second half start doubling the star and the other guys that haven’t been a part of the offense in the first half start taking shots and are cold.

I wouldn’t double Westbrook. Just be ready to help on his drives to the basket and force him into jump shooting. He gets a little confidence and starts chucking up shots.

[Superbone]

I think the Suns are right to leave Westbrook open from the perimeter, but they're also not walling off the paint. They're basically giving him an angle to build up speed and attack from. Like SVG said, "build a fucking wall."

Yes, please FINALLY put a stop to his penetration. I understand it's not easy but come on. If you can't stop him, you have NO hope of stopping somebody like Giannis. Any can you imagine Ayton with that kind of effort and aggression? A man can dream. Nodack is spot on that Amare spoiled us and we can envision Ayton playing with that kind of ferocity. Unfortunately, Ayton can't and it's just not in his nature.