The Phoenix Suns have taken a 2-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers after winning Game 3 in the Crypto.com Arena.
The Clippers had ruled Kawhi Leonard out of the game even after Paul George was set to miss the entire series. Despite the missing players, the Clippers pushed the Suns till the final minute. Fans weren’t thrilled with Phoenix barely pulling off the 129-124 win.
Secured the win ✅#RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/8ljUykCo4A
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 21, 2023
Fans were shocked that the Clippers were even as competitive throughout the game as they looked.
No way this game is this close. No way.
— PeeWeeDaPlug (@PeeWeeDaPlug) April 21, 2023
The heavy minutes for the Suns’ best players in games they’re barely winning is not a recipe for success in the eyes of many.
Another night where Booker and KD had to play mins in the mid 40s, however, this time against a Clippers team without Kawhi Leonard
Booker with another spectacular game… Suns gotto the line over fourty times… yet they still win only by single digits… definitely concerning
— coopz (@Coopz___) April 21, 2023
Their struggles are making it obvious that they would not be up 2-1 if the Clippers had their healthy roster.
The Suns aren’t good at all. I promise you we have Kawhi and PG on this court and we win in 6 games
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 21, 2023
The referees were heavily criticized by fans, with many saying the referees ensured the Suns won.
https://twitter.com/TrolledByPG/status/1649271530193297408
The lack of defensive depth on the Suns was exposed yet again, as the Clippers put up nearly 130 without their two best players.
suns will never not be in a dog fight because they can’t guard fr
they need S tier shooting nights if they wanna blow teams out tbh
45 point night from book and 26 from kd
ur still in a dogfight w the clippers w no pg or kawhi
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) April 21, 2023
The Suns unconvincing wins are worrying fans.
It took Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being out and a carry job from the refs for the Suns to beat the Clippers by a couple possessions.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 21, 2023
Fans in the arena rained ‘you suck’ chants on the referees, as the Suns shot 46 free throws compared to just 25 for the Clippers in a 5-point win.
Clippers fans chanting ‘Ref you suck!’
Suns have taken 20 free throws… in the 3rd quarter alone!
(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/v4rD51FQN3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 21, 2023
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant led the Suns in scoring, with Booker scoring 45 and KD scoring 28. They combined for 17 free throw attempts between just the two of them. Norman Powell was a bucket for the Clippers, scoring 42 points, while Russell Westbrook continued his strong form with a 30-point outing.
With Kawhi Leonard expected to return for Game 4, the Clippers will aim to tie the series up on their home floor before returning to Phoenix.
What’s Wrong With The Suns?
Even though the Suns left tonight with the win, not many fans are convinced of their quality. Everyone knows that they can score with the best of them, and tonight was another example of that. The free throws helped their numbers, but they’re objectively extremely dangerous when it comes to putting points on the board.
Their defense may just be one of the worst in the playoffs right now, as we’ve not seen them provide heavy resistance to the Clippers in this series. Their key to victory is locking in on that front before the Clippers find the rhythm they need to limit offensive production from Phoenix.
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