The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 99-90 in Game 1 of the teams’ first round, and there’s a lot to digest.
Phoenix Suns Game 1 Takeout # 1: Devin Booker is Elite.
Gosh, Devin Booker met at will. Booker’s 34 points on 50 percent shooting gave everything the suns needed. Including LeBron James and Anthony Davis to surpass themselves. The Los Angeles Lakers had no answer for Booker. As I said earlier this season, Booker has to score higher volume in these playoffs. Booker did just that on his playoff debut.
Phoenix Sun’s Game 1 Takeout # 2: Deandre Ayton is the X-Factor
Deandre Ayton had 21 points and shot 90.9 percent along with 16 rebounds. Absolutely dominant. While I don’t expect this for the entire series, anything that comes close to Ayton’s performance in Game 1 is enough. Ayton’s three personal fouls were impressive given the abundance of talented bigs the Lakers had. Ayton must continue his lack of fouls as the suns need his physical presence. Ayton’s eight offensive ricochets made a difference, adding extra shots to the Sun’s victory.
Phoenix Suns Takeaway Game 1 # 3: Rebounding
Against a bigger team with great rebounders like Davis and Andre Drummond, the Suns outpaced the Lakers by 14 rebounds. Much of it can be accredited to Ayton, but it was a great team effort on the glass showing spirit. Against a larger team, it will be important to continue efforts of this caliber.
Phoenix Suns Game 1 Takeout # 4: 3 Point Defense
The Lakers kept the suns at 26.9 percent in their 3-point attempts. The Lakers’ 3-point shooting restriction will hurt James and Davis. If James and Davis don’t have reliable marksmen around them, life will be difficult for the couple.
Phoenix Suns Game 1 Takeout # 5: Chris Paul needs to be healthy
Let’s not fool ourselves. Even though the suns are still ahead, Chris Paul must be healthy. While Booker held the Lakers back with his hard punches in the fourth quarter, Paul’s help will be a must. There will be games that Booker can’t drop his shot. Paul will step in here. Usually Paul dictates the fourth quarter more with his mid-range shot. Today his shoulder restricted that. Without Paul’s shooting ability, the suns will be toast. Let’s all hope this injury isn’t serious.
Phoenix Suns Take Away Game 1 # 6: The Suns have room for improvement for the role-players
Yes, while the Suns are playing a great game, there is still room for improvement. Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Cameron Payne shot together 30 percent. Usually their production is higher. Crowder can be inconsistent but is due for one of his nights that he can’t miss. Expect these three to improve their performance throughout the series.
Phoenix Suns Takeaway Game 1 # 7: The Crowd
The fans present were amazing. By far the best audience this season. There wasn’t a quiet moment as you felt the excitement of playing the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
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