Clippers win and impact on the Suns!

Clippers win and impact on the Suns!

Clippers win and impact on the Suns! What a crazy weekend for everyone as the weekend isn’t even over yet; we still have today, Sunday, for the Suns vs Clippers for the Conference Finals. We have so much to cover today as we don’t know if CP3 will be healthy for Game 1 or even beyond then; plus, we need to discuss the pivotal post-Kawhi movement the Clippers have been displaying. So much more. 

Let us begin by recapping the Clipper’s game last night against the Jazz:

What looked like a game that was going to go to the Jazz and force a game seven, the complete opposite happened. How did that happen? The Jazz was up as much as 25 points as everyone was on fire for them in the first half. However, that changed in the second. Let me be very clear on this that in this postseason, that had a lead, and winning by huge numbers came down to the final wire by the second half. Crazy to think about how that works out.

Who were the winners and losers for the Jazz?

I believe this is a good question to start for this game as Jordan Clarkson scored 21 points in the second quarter – that would be a winner for the Jazz. However, the obvious loser in this game is Donovan Mitchell as his injury completely derailed his night for any chances of winning this game. 

Now, who were the winners and losers for the Clippers?

Terrance Mann set the tone, fighting spirits, and hit the grind button for the Clippers. His 30-plus point show was enough to take back the lead, complete the historical comeback, and lead the Clippers to their first Conference Finals matchup ever. If you watched him you would be completely astonished that a career that didn’t do him justice; had a night like this, better than PG13 and whoever else is on that team. 

There is no clear loser for the Clippers, it is just that Mann played and scored better. Statistically and phenomenally. Paul George played great, along with Reggie Jackson, but Mann pulled out the game-closing clutch-ness. 

What happened in that Game 6 between the Jazz-Clippers:

The Jazz pulled out everything in the first half, the majority of it contributed by Clarkson and Mitchell; as it could not have been stopped. They were up as much as 25 points in the first half, the Jazz controlled everything. However, that changed in the second half as the ClipJoint took over like we never saw before. 

Even without Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, and not really a good bench… they were able to pull through. What looked like a Jazz win and we were heading to a Game 7, it soon looked the other way. In the second half, the Clippers outscored the Jazz 81-47. Shocking and unreal. You had to be there watching the game, unbelievable.

So, what are the stakes for the Clippers-Suns matchup?

The Clippers will be playing Game 1 against the Suns today, Sunday, at 12:30 PM. Injuries, stakes, tension, and everything else will be played in this series – in this Game 1. We have to break down injuries, matchups, stakes for both teams, and everything else. 

Number one, what are the high stakes in this series for both sides?

Both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers are having some historical moments, how? Well, it has been a decade since the Suns have been in the WFC and it is the first time ever for the Clippers to be in the WFC. 

For the Clippers this has to prove a lot under what they have faced as a team the past two years since joining forces with Kawhi and PG13; then of course last year with Ty Lue stepping in as their new head coach after Doc Rivers exited and went off to Philly. 

They have to prove that this experiment is not over, that LA is having a more dominant team in the Clippers, and that they can operate beyond the regular season. Plus, the players like Paul George want to prove that their time isn’t being written off yet. 

For the Suns it has been a massive journey; from being a joke in the NBA the past decade to facing all odds to get to this point. This is truly magnificent and now the young buck team has to go and face more obstacles featuring Devin Booker, De’Andre Ayton, and the best bench they have had in a decade. 

What impact does this have on the Phoenix Suns? 

With the Clippers winning Game 6 and not going to Utah for a Game 7, several things have happened. How? Because now we see that the Suns would have had till Tuesday to get ready and prepare for their confirmed team, not today. An extra two days would have helped as the Suns are down a man. That man? CP3, Chris Paul is still in the COVID-19 protocols and can not join the team in facing them in Game 1. 

While they did get the most rest, injuries are setting in and new mentalities are needed to overcome a battered Clippers team. Chris Paul was a huge one as the team thought that they would be rolling into this one healthy, however, plans are changing. 

While not much changes for the Suns, added pressure is given for Booker to rise higher than ever, Monty Williams to keep his team focused, and just the nerves of playing in the WFC. Plus, besides Crowder in this Game 1, no other Suns Player has playoff experience – except for this season currently.

So, what do the Suns need to do to win the series?

With out Chris Paul until further notice, he is most likely going to be out Game 1 and Game 2. With sources crediting that rumor; so, what does that mean for your Phoenix Suns? This means several things:

Number one, Cameron Payne gotta step it up!

Cam Payne, the backup PG, needs to step it up big time for the Suns as CP3 is down and out. This means Payne cannot be out of control, he has to be locked in and ready to score; plus, he can’t create sloppy turnovers and ill-advised shots. Right? Won’t end well for himself or the Suns – will benefit the Clippers definitely… but who wants that?

Payne just has to slow it down, think it through, don’t overestimate his shots, and just remember what Chris Paul has shown him and taught him. But he should be averaging close to 15/7/2 per game, especially if someone else falls behind.

Number Two, Devin Booker needs to learn to play (this season) without CP3!

Look, DBook has been playing lights out and a lot of that goes to Chris Paul because of the way he has been impacting the season. Correct? No doubt the Suns have needed CP3 a lot, including Devin Booker. Why him? When the Suns were playing in the first round against the Lakers, it was the first time this season without Paul, and Booker wasn’t shooting great. He had off games until he adjusted. Now the man gotta do that again, he has to adjust. Play like he isn’t returning because you never know with these COVID protocols.

He just has to stay loose, not let it get to his head, play great offense, get teammates involved, and play like CP isn’t coming back this series. Imagine that Paul George is hitting every shot he takes and you the only one he can’t stop and your on fire; you have to play that way. The good news is that they will be playing at home so it won’t be too stressful for him as opposed to playing on the road.

Number three, D.A. has to play like the number one overall pick!

Despite everything that has happened in his career, Ayton has to prove that he is the man that will silence all the critics and haters. Because this is a series that will rely heavily on Ayton too, why? Due to the fact that they have George, Zubac, and potentially Kawhi. De’Andre Ayton has to play like everyone is attacking him on defense, he is their offensive big-man when no one else is able to get it going. Because this postseason he has been showing that toughness, grind, down and dirty action, but he needs to continue that without CP3. Even with him returning it should not matter, because Ayton is going to make huge plays on both sides of the court. Correct?

The big-man just got to box out better, be more aggressive, fight hard, shoot better, block and rebound better, etc. He just needs to fine-tune his game, if so then the team will continue to feed him the ball. De’Andre Ayton just needs to keep working it on the inside and not be shy of taking those shots, rebounds, or anything for that matter.

Number four, the bench has to be MORE supportive!

With the starters giving everything they got, the bench players have to come in and play as aggressive (if not more) when the starting five comes out. They have to play more consistent in their roles, stay true to what has gotten them this far, and just hold off that team and make them work for every possession (whether offense or defense). Truly, this is not going to be a sweep-away like the Nuggets. This Clippers team is going to give us all they got, every punch and blow, to every play they can rack up.

This series is very important for both teams but for the Suns, this is their time and their treasure. If they win this series, they will be in the NBA Finals of 2021!

Conclusion:

That is all I got, we will see where the Suns are after both of their games at home. We will see where both Kawhi and Paul is at, injury and health wise. This is going to be an interesting series, a hard hitting one, and one that is going to take all the energy out of the players and coaching staff. This is going to be fun and I can’t wait to watch the first few games, I’m going to be so stressed for each game as unpredictability can always happen.

Want to be exclusive?

Also, want to become exclusive? Like membership exclusive? Like where you are able to have your own exclusive content, coupons, personalized newsletters, and more? Well, look no further because for the price of three dollars you will be sent two newsletters (one of the top products and one of the exclusive articles and in-depth articles with additional coupons), two articles accessed to only you, four personalized coupons, and even emails telling you that your posts are ready to be read. For a small price you can get huge perks as this is per month, per month you will be an insider of the NBA after reading these articles. It is a win-win, how? You get the best in NBA content that shows you everything that the insiders see. Plus, you get to help a small business which means so much to us when everyone subscribes. 

Link to register for the Elite Membership:  https://form.jotform.com/courtsideheat/new-customer-registration-form

Link to look at the Elite Membership:  https://courtsideheat.com/membership-join/ 

Also, join now and get your first three days FOR FREE!