Very impressive collectively, Phoenix finds himself at the gates of the Western Conference Finals after his third straight victory in Denver (116-102), Philadelphia having taken the advantage two wins to one over Atlanta (127-111) at the Is, in the other semi-final played Friday in the NBA play-offs.
Phoenix recites his lesson
The Suns have on paper one of the most balanced and complete workforce in the League and this is vividly confirmed on the field, in this series that we imagined more tight against the Nuggets.
However, this victory, no more than the previous two, suffered from no dispute.
Phoenix shot at 52% and was again masterfully led by Chris Paul (27 pts, 9/16 on shots, 7 assists).
The veteran point guard, 36, recited his basketball without finding any real opposition in the face - good for his right shoulder, manhandled in the first round by the Lakers much more prickly and combative than are these Nuggets bathing a little too much in the 'oil.
At his side, Devin Booker added 28 points (6 rebounds) which did not prevent an excellent distribution of other offensive tasks, moreover with a parsimonious use of long-distance shots (12/26), where well teams abuse it to the dregs, like the evening opponent (14/41).
“We improve with each game in these play-offs, where the physical intensity and the atmosphere in the stands have nothing to do with the regular season.
And we feed off that, whether we play at home or outside, ”commented the latter.
Opposite, Nikola Jokic, who received his MVP trophy of the season, was the only one to float, with a big triple-double (32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists) which would tend to almost hide the fact that he was not really skilful (13/29), often forcing his shots.
Because it is an undeniable fact that Jamal Murray, unavailable (rupture of a cruciate ligament in the left knee), is terribly lacking in Denver's attack, which does not have the same madness or the same efficiency without him.
The Nuggets, who shone last year by making improbable comebacks in the play-offs, after being led 3-1 against Utah and then the Clippers, must urgently find a solution or hope for a miracle.
Because no team has ever managed to qualify 3-0 against it.
Philadelphia tightens the bolts
Joel Embiid, with 27 points scored (9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks), guided Philadelphia to win in Atlanta.
This success, also the result of a real collective effort, allows the 76ers to regain the advantage of the floor, lost in Game 1, when the Hawks had made a better start, in the wake of their slalom machine and score Trae Young, then author of 35 points.
But since then, the young star has less impact offensively, because he has a leech well hooked to his sneakers, in the person of Ben Simmons (18 pts, 7 assists) who finished 2nd in the race for the best defender of the season. , behind Frenchman Rudy Gobert (Utah).
“My role is to defend the best player every time.
And this one is very talented, ”said Simmons of Young, who was also not unworthy.
But his 28 points (at 9/17, 8 assists) did not weigh enough, and he did not hide his frustration by attacking the referees, who he asked to put on binoculars after decisions that 'he considered bad.
The reality is that the Sixers imposed their superiority without it, under the eyes of their former glory, Julius Erving, architect of the last league title won in 1983. Tobias Harris was an effective lieutenant of Embiid (22 pts) and the players from the bench brought 46 points.
So much so that Philly shot at 58.2% success, while being physically stronger, especially during the third quarter (34-19).
Opposite, like Young, he missed that little spark that forces decisions, even if John Collins (23 pts) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (19 pts) had their usual contribution. But the play-offs, at this stage, require much more.