By: Stephen Garner

Wednesday night’s 123-98 route of the Denver Nuggets made for, now, 5 consecutive Suns playoff wins.

Very rarely do we see a winning streak of any variety in the playoffs. To see one span from 3 in a row to close the previous series, then carry over into the next, is unheard of.

They saw double-doubles from DeAndre Ayton (15 points and 10 rebounds), Chris Paul (17 points and 15 assists) and Devin Booker (18 points and 10 rebounds) amass double-doubles. They’re the first Suns trio since Nash-Stoudamire-Marion in 2007 to do so in a playoff game.

They’re winning by an average of 21 PPG through 2 games here, and are clicking on all cylinders.

Per ESPN Stats, teams that go up 2-0 in a best-of-7 while outscoring their opponents by 20+ PPG have a 33-3 series record all-time.

This was also the 2nd straight game where all the starters were in double figures as well for them. It’s been downright dominance from them.

A great balancing in the rotation from Monty Williams has been a catalyst in it all. From mirroring Ayton with Jokic, to shared time on court with Paul and Booker, then their minutes independent of each other, and even reintegrating Dario Saric (+5 in game 1, +15 in game 2!!!). His rotations have been near flawless.

Quick Takes

Defense, Defense, Defense

They’re allowing, now, just 98.5 PPG, 41% from the field, and 31% from 3. Teams are also shooting a frigid 59.7% at the rim.

They are moving on the same accord. They bank on sharp and solid play, much more than gambling for steals. Their rotations are tight, communication is on point. They’re getting numerous extra efforts from Booker and Paul all the way down to Torrey Craig. That was the area of the game that Monty Williams put a point of emphasis on, and it’s exactly what is carrying them this postseason.

Youthful Ascension and Exuberance

Don’t jump with Deandre Ayton pic.twitter.com/l8LiogQCbz

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 8, 2021

Averaging a healthy 16.3 PPG (75.3% from the field) with 10.5 RPG. Past numbers though, he’s been in tune.

DeAndre Ayton has been the player who’s improved his stock most in these playoffs. From being called a bust at separate times, to his issues last season, he has had his bouts with perception around the league. However, he has taken all criticisms to the chin this season, as stated by Williams, Paul, and Booker on numerous occasions, and has finally begun to lay the foundation for what could make him the next best up and coming center (not unlike Bam Adebayo of last season).

In his very first playoffs, he’s been welcomed having to defend the likes of Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, and now Nikola Jokic. He’s been up to the task.

Nikola Jokic is now 24-60 (40% FG) when matched up on Deandre Ayton through 5 games (reg season + playoffs). He's even shooting better on 3s (42%) than 2s!

Solid sample size to say that DA is doing a fantastic job. pic.twitter.com/RKx7mi9aua

— Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) June 10, 2021

As Chris Paul stated in last night’s press conference, he’s been their MVP in the postseason. His energy and efforts have become as consistent as they’ve been all season at this point, and they invigorate his teammates every step of the way.

At the foundation of everything the Suns deploy defensively, is Ayton who’s grown in his anchoring and has provided his team the luxury big not needing to sacrifice an extra body to help contain elite frontcourt players. Ayton is handling his own defensive, in one on one coverage with the opposition’s best player big.

Peak Point God Play

Chris Paul appreciation night. #PointGod pic.twitter.com/ApZ9lariNb

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 10, 2021

As noted before, the role players and how well they perform go hand-in-hand with Chris Paul. The healthier he continues to look, the more involved they become in the rhythm of the game. As he continues to pick apart opposing defenses, the Suns take on a full team attack and that energy permeates through the team. He finished today’s game with 17 points, 15 assists, and not a single turnover.

Even more, over this now unprecedented 5 game win-streak, he’s amassed 53 assists to just 4 turnovers. It is, also, to no surprise, that the likes of Crowder and Bridges have resembled their regular-season selves amidst this stretch as well.

Paul has had the luxury of being able to pick his spots, mainly in the closer role, of this series. He has the innate sense of the team’s pulse and what buttons to press to weather the storm. Whether that’s finding Mikal Bridges again after consecutive missed 3s to instill the needed confidence in trust, calling his own number and slowing the pace of the game down as his team grows unsettled, or reminding Cam Payne how effective he’s capable of being, he’s the master game manager.

.@CP3 passes Jerry West to move into 14th on the @NBA Playoffs All-Time Assist leaderboard! pic.twitter.com/wZ87zaOzr8

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 10, 2021

In the series, he’s averaging 19 PPG and 13 APG on unreal efficiency. Off pure optics, you can see his impact on the game by presence alone.

Oh yeah, what about Devin Booker?

As for the young stud, he’s been at, by his standards, “pedestrian” 19.5 PPG this series. While he’s remained extremely effective, he’s been in cruise control for the most part, which bodes well as he hasn’t really had to exert too much energy yet. It’s likely his typical services will be needed on the road in Denver, so expect for him to return to form over the next two games.

He’s held the attention of Aaron Gordon, who’s by far the Nuggets best on-ball and off-ball defender. Where Gordon’s at his peak defensively is playing centerfield in help and contesting shots in the paint. Booker’s perimeter-dwelling style of play, keeping him in space, is keeping Gordon out of the mix defensively on most plays, which works right into Phoenix’s hands.

Expect for the Nuggets to have loud responses of their own while hosting the next two games. It will be a tall task to win on their home floor, as their role players are all overdue for effective games.

Phoenix has shown their own resilience in this postseason run however.

Prediction

Suns come away with 1 of the next 2 games, to close the series in game 5 on their home floor.