2023-04-16 11:02:28
Considered by many to be the most hyped series of the first round of the Playoffs, the opposition between the Suns and the Clippers will start this Sunday (2 a.m.) at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The opportunity for both teams to send a first message to the opponent.
The written preview of the series is here, la preview video right here.
A Game 1 of a series of Playoffs is always special, even more in the first round.
The two teams must engage the postseason mode, they have prepared specifically for the match-up in question, and this first meeting must make it possible to take the temperature on each side to then adjust well. But above all, a Game 1 can set the tone for the rest of the series, and that’s why the Suns and Clippers will be keen to strike first tonight.
For Phoenix, still undefeated with his quartet Kevin Durant – Devin Booker – Chris Paul – Deandre Ayton, the objective will obviously be to defend his own lands because losing the advantage of the field from Game 1 can quickly put you under pressure. Especially in a #4 vs #5 series. But more than that, the Cactus will want to show the Clippers – deprived of their All-Star winger Paul George – that the offensive power of their Big 4 is far too important for any team found in their path. We had a glimpse in the regular season, those four together hurt a lot, with an offensive efficiency of 122.3 points scored per 100 possessions (limited sample of course, but we are on the best ratio of the entire NBA) and a net rating of +17.4 points (105 per 100 possessions in defense). Tyronn Lue’s men will therefore have to be on the direct line if they want to avoid getting caught in a big entry wave.
On the side of Los Angeles, we will want to put the physical impact to show precisely to these Suns that this series will not be a cakewalk. The Cactus may have four of the five best players in the series, but the Clippers want to use their depth on the exteriors to make life complicated for KD and Co.. Mission not easy obviously, but if LA can limit the production of the Big 4 of Phoenix a little and challenge certain opposing role players to step-up in attack (Josh Okogie in particular), the meeting could well be tight from the beginning to the end.
Clippers have replica Suns jerseys for some of the defense-focused practice/walkthroughs they plan to have today. pic.twitter.com/5CVsNiO17K
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 11, 2023
The keys to this Game 1 are obviously numerous, and we have only discussed one aspect of this confrontation here, which should reveal many others throughout the series. But one thing is certain: in the history of the NBA Playoffs, the winner of the first game has a significant advantage. In fact, 75% of teams that take a 1-0 advantage end up winning the series.
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