Western Conference Semi-Final Preview
This matchup was expected by most as the Nuggets and Suns were two of the best teams in the NBA all year. Both teams breezed through their first-round series in five games, setting up a matchup that most think will go the distance.
Which team has greater depth?: LA exposed Phoenix’s lack of depth in Game 1 when their bench outmatched those on Phoenix in virtually every game of the series. After Round One, Denver has the second-best net rating (4.3), while Phoenix (-1.1) ranks ninth; Durant and Booker currently lead postseason minutes, respectively for the Suns, while Williams makes sure at least two starters stay out at once; leaving their stars less fresh for late games is something Monty Williams encourages as part of his lineup-planning strategies – an effort which could cause fatigue at crucial moments when Phoenix needs maximum effort from both players.
Youth Versus Experience at the Point: Phoenix point guard Chris Paul boasts 147 postseason appearances, while 26-year-old Jamal Murray will play in 39 career playoff games this Saturday. Paul will employ veteran experience to keep up with Murray, who stands 6-foot-4 and averaged 25.3 points, 6.8 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game during Denver’s initial four games of this round as the clear-cut No. 1. Murray also averaged 26.3 points, 6.8 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game as Denver’s No.1 scoring option during those first four matches as No.1. Murray could serve as an effective backup option to Jokic on offense for Denver. They may try putting him against Caldwell-Pope; however, Denver’s lengthy starting lineup makes this almost impossible; Booker and Durant may spend most of their time guarding Murray during this series, leaving Paul only an effective fourth option and facilitator who prevents turnovers on offense.
This series looks like it could easily go seven games.
The X-Factor goes to Booker, who gets his spot due to his underrated defense, which will be key in slowing down Murray. Durant will most likely be assigned guarding Porter Jr. Booker leads the NBA in postseason scoring (37.2 ppg) and broke past Charles Barkley as the franchise leader in career playoff games scoring 30 or more points (19). We don’t give him enough credit for playing tenacious defense; after all, he leads in playoff steals (2.6). His only concern heading into this series will likely be carrying such an immense workload, having played 41 minutes in all five postseason games so far – especially after playing 41 or more minutes each game this postseason!
TGT Podcast: 2023 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Preview – The Grueling Truth The Grueling Truth Radio
