2023 West Semifinals | (1) Denver Nuggets VS (4) Phoenix Suns (Series tied 2-2)

[Exp0sed]

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that was my intuition seeing game 2 as well: if the Suns want a real shot they need to turn into the Dubs (minus the off-ball movement haha)

KD, Booker, Payne and whoever else that can knock 3's down but realistically it's KD and Booker - need to change their shots profile and look for the 3 predominantly

if they can't lure the Joker out of the paint they're not winning even 1 game

[cjx]

That shallow loudmouth clown stephen a called King Joker "a tub of lard", Joker is not fat,

espn stays losing, fam

[One Last Shot]

Cp3s injury is just a smokescreen. I had the Nuggets winning this series in 6 even if he was healthy.

Even if he was healthy the only way I saw Phoenix having a chance this series was if KD/Devin were consistently as red hot as they were vs the Clips.

Denver has the big shot makers and overall depth to withstand whatever Phoenix throws at them.

CP3 has been scoring on 47% TS in these playoffs. He's also a shadow of his former self on the defensive end. He was pretty close to a non-factor.

To be fair, Nuggets end the game with 46-28 run right after CP3 went out with this injury and +8 in the game as Suns lead the Nuggets 59-51 before he got hurt. The value he provided for this team was way more than what his TS% shows.

[They_Them_Hatin]

CP0’s injury is a blessing in disguise. He has been awful this whole year and his bruised ego is openly passing up KD to Jack up shots. Monty said Ross & TJ will finally get minutes after the pathetic bench scored 4 points.

Booker, Ross, Warren, KD, Biyombo should start. We need points. Ayton will be the super 6th man.

This bench is trash. Phoenix will be dumb to go after Kyrie instead of getting a bench.

[antonac]

As a nuggets fan I consider us lucky that Paul is out, Denver has 2 good defenders, phoenix have 2 really good offensive players. Kd and booker will get theirs against anyone, and KCP and Gordon are hardly DPOY level guys, but at least the match ups make sense.

It's Paul that would be more likely to elevate the others in a way no one else on the sun's can. Booker or Durant could have a 50 point game but you just have to live with that when playing those players.

[durden_tyler]

Line now down to Suns -4. Scary line if you’re betting on PHX especially after what we’ve seen from Denver the next two games, but no way in hell the NBA allow Durant and the Suns to go down a 0-3 hole right? right? (I have Suns ML so Vegas let’s do this. LOL)

[AleksandarN]

I have a feeling the Suns will win game 3. Their bench will finally show and go nuts. I predict they get hot and score 25 pts. That will be the difference . The next two will go to Denver. I have the Suns winning this game and losing in 5.

[stoo]

CP0’s injury is a blessing in disguise. He has been awful this whole year and his bruised ego is openly passing up KD to Jack up shots. Monty said Ross & TJ will finally get minutes after the pathetic bench scored 4 points.

Booker, Ross, Warren, KD, Biyombo should start. We need points. Ayton will be the super 6th man.

This bench is trash. Phoenix will be dumb to go after Kyrie instead of getting a bench.

u've solved it fam. lol

[Wolfgang630]

So TJ Warren and Ross gonna play now? They’ve been scorers in the past, but they rarely play so it’ll be interesting to see, but I predict it’ll come together for the Suns and they’ll win. They’re going to be uplifted by Warren, Ross and the role players.

[scrabbarista]

Line now down to Suns -4. Scary line if you’re betting on PHX especially after what we’ve seen from Denver the next two games, but no way in hell the NBA allow Durant and the Suns to go down a 0-3 hole right? right? (I have Suns ML so Vegas let’s do this. LOL)

Game 3 is definitely the most likely to have some hardcore NBA cheating in it.

[nbafan38]

Line now down to Suns -4. Scary line if you’re betting on PHX especially after what we’ve seen from Denver the next two games, but no way in hell the NBA allow Durant and the Suns to go down a 0-3 hole right? right? (I have Suns ML so Vegas let’s do this. LOL)

I've gone from starting the playoffs thinking Suns are the clear favorite in the west to I don't trust them to win a home game down 2-0.

[Wigginstime]

As a nuggets fan I consider us lucky that Paul is out, Denver has 2 good defenders, phoenix have 2 really good offensive players. Kd and booker will get theirs against anyone, and KCP and Gordon are hardly DPOY level guys, but at least the match ups make sense.

It's Paul that would be more likely to elevate the others in a way no one else on the sun's can. Booker or Durant could have a 50 point game but you just have to live with that when playing those players.

Agree with this. Game 2 was an anomaly. To beat the Nuggets, PHX will need to be able to put up about 120. Denver is prepared for Booker and Durant to provide 60 to 70 of those points.

The question is where does PHX get the other 50+ points they need to beat the Nuggets. This has become drastically harder with CP3 out.

In my mind they need one of two things to happen now
Ayton explodes for 25+ point
Multiple (3 or so) guys (Craig, Okogie, Payne, Shamet, Ross, Lee) Each give you an efficient 10+ point performance

I struggle seeing either scenario happen with out having Paul to facilitate

[Mickey8]

Suns by 20 tonight. You heard it here first.

[cjx]

CJ McCollum said Jokic is unstoppable and in such good shape, fam

[Wolfgang630]

How many free throws will Phoenix get today? Probably 25+ and Denver will get let’s say 9.

[Jesus_H_Macy]

I have a feeling the Suns will win game 3. Their bench will finally show and go nuts. I predict they get hot and score 25 pts. That will be the difference . The next two will go to Denver. I have the Suns winning this game and losing in 5.

Have the same thought. I think Suns win tonight, be up most of Game 4 but blow a lead down the stretch, and then bow out in Game 5. But this team is running on fumes right now. Could very easily lose tonight. If Suns lose tonight I think it'll break them and they'll get blown out in Game 4.

Next season is the one real shot. Suns FO will have to pull off some magic in the offseason to build the rest of the team back out around Booker and Durant though. Don't see how we can roll it back with CP again because regardless of whatever decline he just won't be available in the playoffs anyways. Which leaves Ayton as the only thing with any value we have to trade. Can't trade any picks. Maybe Payne can get back to being a plus player if he's starting, but he can't stay healthy either. Point Book should not be a long-term option. FO has their work cut out for them.

[iLLmatic860]

nuggets sweeping

[Wolfgang630]

JJ confirmed he’s going to be calling the game. Great gonna get boring commentary from him. Dude will sound like he’s commenting like it’s a preseason game.

[cjx]

Suns need to start T Ross and Cam Payne with KD, Book and dominAyton as well as give Landale and Bazley some playing time

[Wolfgang630]

Suns need to start T Ross and Cam Payne with KD, Book and dominAyton as well as give Landale and Bazley some playing time

Might as well give me and you some playing time at this point lol