NBA PLAYOFFS: Game 6 - (2) Phoenix Suns @ (7) Los Angeles Lakers l Thursday l 7:30pm l TNT l PHX wins series (4-2)

[insomniac00]

This is absolutely a MUST win... Game 7 is anyone's game and defending champs have advantage mentally.

Suns need to kill any momentum for Lakers by quick time outs for any leads greater than 5. Booker needs to NOT settle for jump shots, he needs to put Caruso and whomever guards him on foul trouble considering Caldwell Pope might be out and Matthews cant guard him.

I'd keep Ayton on Lebron.. WHEN Lakers have Gasol in, have someone else cover Gasol. Drummond, as much flack he gets here is a nightmare on the boards, simply Suns have a much better time rebounding when he's off the court.

Obviously an important game but come on it's not a must-win. If we lose there's a game 7 in Phoenix that can go either way.

Must wins are elimination games or games where the odds of a comeback are extremely small, like going down 3-0 in a series.

[insomniac00]

James Jones says Paul is good:

Chris Paul will be ‘ready to go’ for Game 6 vs. Lakers, per Suns GM
https://arizonasports.com/story/2673898/chris-paul-will-be-ready-to-go-for-game-6-vs-lakers-per-suns-gm/

But it's so hard to tell what percentage he's at. Jones dodged getting specific on that. And we've seen the Suns let Paul play when he wasn't helping the team much, so it's hard to trust them to only play him if he's truly good to go.

[thamadkant]

This is absolutely a MUST win... Game 7 is anyone's game and defending champs have advantage mentally.

Suns need to kill any momentum for Lakers by quick time outs for any leads greater than 5. Booker needs to NOT settle for jump shots, he needs to put Caruso and whomever guards him on foul trouble considering Caldwell Pope might be out and Matthews cant guard him.

I'd keep Ayton on Lebron.. WHEN Lakers have Gasol in, have someone else cover Gasol. Drummond, as much flack he gets here is a nightmare on the boards, simply Suns have a much better time rebounding when he's off the court.

Obviously an important game but come on it's not a must-win. If we lose there's a game 7 in Phoenix that can go either way.

Must wins are elimination games or games where the odds of a comeback are extremely small, like going down 3-0 in a series.

its a MUST win.... because you just admitted it... game 7 can go to anyone. Right now, Suns have advantage, they need use that advantage and WIN games they SHOULD win. Regardless if Davis plays, Suns need to test him and make him make mistakes and sit down on the bench by being strained

[spanishninja]

This is absolutely a MUST win... Game 7 is anyone's game and defending champs have advantage mentally.

Suns need to kill any momentum for Lakers by quick time outs for any leads greater than 5. Booker needs to NOT settle for jump shots, he needs to put Caruso and whomever guards him on foul trouble considering Caldwell Pope might be out and Matthews cant guard him.

I'd keep Ayton on Lebron.. WHEN Lakers have Gasol in, have someone else cover Gasol. Drummond, as much flack he gets here is a nightmare on the boards, simply Suns have a much better time rebounding when he's off the court.

Obviously an important game but come on it's not a must-win. If we lose there's a game 7 in Phoenix that can go either way.

Must wins are elimination games or games where the odds of a comeback are extremely small, like going down 3-0 in a series.

its a MUST win.... because you just admitted it... game 7 can go to anyone. Right now, Suns have advantage, they need use that advantage and WIN games they SHOULD win. Regardless if Davis plays, Suns need to test him and make him make mistakes and sit down on the bench by being strained

yeah, only a fool would push Lebron to a Game 7.

[Flying Colors]

If Paul can give us what he was giving us the last two games then yeah, he’s gotta play

[SunsRback4Good]

Only fitting for best road team in the league to eliminate a team on the ROAD. We fought hard all season I don't see a let up from our group. Only way we lose if we commit 13+ TO's while hitting less than 9 threes.

[Barkley6]

I think Lakers are gonna try a lot of zone in this game. In the first half of gm 5, we almost had more pts in the paint alone than they had pts overall.

Their gonna dare guys to hit 3s especially Crowder and Bridges.

Suns aren’t a bad 3pt shooting team for the reg season but it hasn’t been very good in the playoffs so I bet Vogel wants to test that.

That's really playing with fire in an elimination game. Dare 42% and a 39% 3 point shooters to hit shots? Both of whom have gotten it going the last two games? That's a REALLY dangerous plan and seems like a good way to dig an early hole.

I don't think the Lakers think their issue is on the defensive end. We shot 45/33% in a blow out. It's not like we just shot the lights out. Their offense was putrid.

They are going to look to find some better, more consistent offense and not turn the ball over. I think we see more THT as a secondary ball handler/playmaker. I think they are going to try to run some Gasol point-center, and obviously LeBron is going to be their primary threat on that end.

What becomes crucial for us is to win the minutes when LeBron sits. There won't be a lot of them, but we need to use those opportunities to clamp down on defense either narrow a deficit or expand a lead. Even if he's only sitting for 1:30 of game time, if we can whittle a lead down by 3-4 or expand a lead by 3-4 in those minutes that will be key to being successful in this one.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Contrast that with Anthony Davis saying the trainers will make the decision.

He's already prepared the cop out, trainers aren't risking their jobs for longer term damage.

[Barkley6]

Contrast that with Anthony Davis saying the trainers will make the decision.

He's already prepared the cop out, trainers aren't risking their jobs for longer term damage.

The fact that he tried to give it a go yesterday is a joke. You don't pull your groin and play NBA basketball 2 days later. I'll be very surprised if he plays again this series.

You gotta look at AD as a long term investment. How far can the Lakers reasonably go with AD hobbled? If the answer to that isn't at least to the Finals, then what's the point? Shut him down and get him right for next season. Because would you really want to get all the way to the WCF and have him severely hurt himself and then not be ready for the season to resume next year? Is that worth it for just a deep playoff run?

[bwgood77]

Contrast that with Anthony Davis saying the trainers will make the decision.

He's already prepared the cop out, trainers aren't risking their jobs for longer term damage.

The fact that he tried to give it a go yesterday is a joke. You don't pull your groin and play NBA basketball 2 days later. I'll be very surprised if he plays again this series.

You gotta look at AD as a long term investment. How far can the Lakers reasonably go with AD hobbled? If the answer to that isn't at least to the Finals, then what's the point? Shut him down and get him right for next season. Because would you really want to get all the way to the WCF and have him severely hurt himself and then not be ready for the season to resume next year? Is that worth it for just a deep playoff run?

If he's not feeling close to normal I wouldn't play him but LeBron will want him to play if he's close. LeBron only has so many chances left. The Lakers know this too and won't want him to leave. I can't see them giving up if AD feels good enough to go.

It's not like KD and his achilles. Regardless, AD would heal by next season if it was just his groin.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Contrast that with Anthony Davis saying the trainers will make the decision.

He's already prepared the cop out, trainers aren't risking their jobs for longer term damage.

The fact that he tried to give it a go yesterday is a joke. You don't pull your groin and play NBA basketball 2 days later. I'll be very surprised if he plays again this series.

You gotta look at AD as a long term investment. How far can the Lakers reasonably go with AD hobbled? If the answer to that isn't at least to the Finals, then what's the point? Shut him down and get him right for next season. Because would you really want to get all the way to the WCF and have him severely hurt himself and then not be ready for the season to resume next year? Is that worth it for just a deep playoff run?

If he's not feeling close to normal I wouldn't play him but LeBron will want him to play if he's close. LeBron only has so many chances left. The Lakers know this too and won't want him to leave. I can't see them giving up if AD feels good enough to go.

It's not like KD and his achilles. Regardless, AD would heal by next season if it was just his groin.

It's not so much next season but if he pulls it worse that could basically end his playoffs. Without him they aren't going far even if they beat Phoenix.


The other concern is if you favor one leg you can inadvertently cause damage to another area because your kinetics are messed up. With his leg injury history they should probably be careful.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

[kennydorglas]

If anthony davis steps in that damn court, I WANT a hard foul on him RIGHT AWAY.

Those damn LA trash boys.

Sent from my Redmi 7A using RealGM mobile app

[Qwigglez]

Some more good news about Game 5 that I realized is the Suns were up by 30 at half, and then still beat the Lakers by 30. So essentially they didn't really go on any kind of run that I can remember in the 2nd half that they can really focus in on and try to replicate it in Game 6. The Lakers basically just have to shoot a lot better.

[SunsRback4Good]

Some more good news about Game 5 that I realized is the Suns were up by 30 at half, and then still beat the Lakers by 30. So essentially they didn't really go on any kind of run that I can remember in the 2nd half that they can really focus in on and try to replicate it in Game 6. The Lakers basically just have to shoot a lot better.

Thoughts on Marv Alberts last broadcast at MSG?

[Qwigglez]

Some more good news about Game 5 that I realized is the Suns were up by 30 at half, and then still beat the Lakers by 30. So essentially they didn't really go on any kind of run that I can remember in the 2nd half that they can really focus in on and try to replicate it in Game 6. The Lakers basically just have to shoot a lot better.

Thoughts on Marv Alberts last broadcast at MSG?

Legendary broadcaster.

[bwgood77]

The fact that he tried to give it a go yesterday is a joke. You don't pull your groin and play NBA basketball 2 days later. I'll be very surprised if he plays again this series.

You gotta look at AD as a long term investment. How far can the Lakers reasonably go with AD hobbled? If the answer to that isn't at least to the Finals, then what's the point? Shut him down and get him right for next season. Because would you really want to get all the way to the WCF and have him severely hurt himself and then not be ready for the season to resume next year? Is that worth it for just a deep playoff run?

If he's not feeling close to normal I wouldn't play him but LeBron will want him to play if he's close. LeBron only has so many chances left. The Lakers know this too and won't want him to leave. I can't see them giving up if AD feels good enough to go.

It's not like KD and his achilles. Regardless, AD would heal by next season if it was just his groin.

It's not so much next season but if he pulls it worse that could basically end his playoffs. Without him they aren't going far even if they beat Phoenix.


The other concern is if you favor one leg you can inadvertently cause damage to another area because your kinetics are messed up. With his leg injury history they should probably be careful.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Yeah, I thought after my response that it could make him compensate elsewhere which could cause an injury. I wouldn't play him unless he feels like 80-90%. But only if he feels comfortable as well as the medical staff. You never know how far someone can advance though, given injuries, etc. It was a freak injury that happened to Paul and the same could happen to Lillard, Jokic, George or Kawhi....Doncic apparently already has some sort of neck strain.

[lilfishi22]

I think Lakers are gonna try a lot of zone in this game. In the first half of gm 5, we almost had more pts in the paint alone than they had pts overall.

Their gonna dare guys to hit 3s especially Crowder and Bridges.

Suns aren’t a bad 3pt shooting team for the reg season but it hasn’t been very good in the playoffs so I bet Vogel wants to test that.

That's really playing with fire in an elimination game. Dare 42% and a 39% 3 point shooters to hit shots? Both of whom have gotten it going the last two games? That's a REALLY dangerous plan and seems like a good way to dig an early hole.

I don't think the Lakers think their issue is on the defensive end. We shot 45/33% in a blow out. It's not like we just shot the lights out. Their offense was putrid.

They are going to look to find some better, more consistent offense and not turn the ball over. I think we see more THT as a secondary ball handler/playmaker. I think they are going to try to run some Gasol point-center, and obviously LeBron is going to be their primary threat on that end.

What becomes crucial for us is to win the minutes when LeBron sits. There won't be a lot of them, but we need to use those opportunities to clamp down on defense either narrow a deficit or expand a lead. Even if he's only sitting for 1:30 of game time, if we can whittle a lead down by 3-4 or expand a lead by 3-4 in those minutes that will be key to being successful in this one.

In their wins against us, they played stellar defense, our shooters couldn't hit the broad side of a barn but honestly, their offense didn't look that great as you mentioned. In G2-3, they just got to the line a million times and Schroder got hot. Chris Paul could barely play and Booker put up a dud. Their offense just isn't overwhelming like the Nets if they can't rely on refs calling fouls. They become a handful when they have refs calling BS fouls and get to the FT line. When they can't get to the line 30+ times a game, they have to rely on their shooting which they are abysmal at. In the 1 regular season loss against them, they got to the line 41 times (17FTA for AD).

So I do think we'll see a bit more THT to try and create a bit more offense, get more offensive movement and get more opportunities to draw fouls. But if they can't generate those calls, they just can't win because Lebron just isn't driving with the frequency he's used to and when he does, he passes them out and the Lakers can't shoot. I just keep hearing and hearing about how Lebron is still the best penetrator in the league lol but that's not some trump card they've been keeping up their sleeve, they've been trying but those drives haven't generated the points.

[insomniac00]

If anthony davis steps in that damn court, I WANT a hard foul on him RIGHT AWAY.

Those damn LA trash boys.

Sent from my Redmi 7A using RealGM mobile app

Could just have Crowder straight up kick him in the nuts after opening tip?

I kid, I kid.

[kennydorglas]

Do It for the boys, Crowder.

If anthony davis steps in that damn court, I WANT a hard foul on him RIGHT AWAY.

Those damn LA trash boys.

Sent from my Redmi 7A using RealGM mobile app

Could just have Crowder straight up kick him in the nuts after opening tip?

I kid, I kid.

Sent from my Redmi 7A using RealGM mobile app

[Barkley6]

I think Lakers are gonna try a lot of zone in this game. In the first half of gm 5, we almost had more pts in the paint alone than they had pts overall.

Their gonna dare guys to hit 3s especially Crowder and Bridges.

Suns aren’t a bad 3pt shooting team for the reg season but it hasn’t been very good in the playoffs so I bet Vogel wants to test that.

That's really playing with fire in an elimination game. Dare 42% and a 39% 3 point shooters to hit shots? Both of whom have gotten it going the last two games? That's a REALLY dangerous plan and seems like a good way to dig an early hole.

I don't think the Lakers think their issue is on the defensive end. We shot 45/33% in a blow out. It's not like we just shot the lights out. Their offense was putrid.

They are going to look to find some better, more consistent offense and not turn the ball over. I think we see more THT as a secondary ball handler/playmaker. I think they are going to try to run some Gasol point-center, and obviously LeBron is going to be their primary threat on that end.

What becomes crucial for us is to win the minutes when LeBron sits. There won't be a lot of them, but we need to use those opportunities to clamp down on defense either narrow a deficit or expand a lead. Even if he's only sitting for 1:30 of game time, if we can whittle a lead down by 3-4 or expand a lead by 3-4 in those minutes that will be key to being successful in this one.

In their wins against us, they played stellar defense, our shooters couldn't hit the broad side of a barn but honestly, their offense didn't look that great as you mentioned. In G2-3, they just got to the line a million times and Schroder got hot. Chris Paul could barely play and Booker put up a dud. Their offense just isn't overwhelming like the Nets if they can't rely on refs calling fouls. They become a handful when they have refs calling BS fouls and get to the FT line. When they can't get to the line 30+ times a game, they have to rely on their shooting which they are abysmal at. In the 1 regular season loss against them, they got to the line 41 times (17FTA for AD).

So I do think we'll see a bit more THT to try and create a bit more offense, get more offensive movement and get more opportunities to draw fouls. But if they can't generate those calls, they just can't win because Lebron just isn't driving with the frequency he's used to and when he does, he passes them out and the Lakers can't shoot. I just keep hearing and hearing about how Lebron is still the best penetrator in the league lol but that's not some trump card they've been keeping up their sleeve, they've been trying but those drives haven't generated the points.

They have no answer on offense (so far) when the whistles don't go their way. And AD is the best at drawing fouls. If he's out, or not very aggressive, that favors us immensely because aside from LeBron turning into a volume 3 point shooter, I haven't seen anything in the last two games to suggest that they have a go to source of offense.