This series is not over. However, the Suns’ margin for error is over. It’s easier said than done with how things are going, but it starts with protecting their home court.
It has been done exactly 33 times in NBA playoff history.
Teams falling behind in a series 0-2 hold a record of 33-416, which converts to a 7.3 win percentage. Not exactly inspiring stuff, but… it is possible.
(so you’re saying there’s a chance meme)
The all-time record of NBA playoff series that started 0-2:
33-416 — a rate of 7.3%
Phoenix has been a part of one of those comebacks vs LAL in 1993.
They’ve also been on the other side of it twice, in the 2021 NBA Finals and vs Dallas in 2022.
— Zona (@AZSportsZone) April 24, 2024
How can the Suns assemble a historic run to become the 34th team to join this elusive club? It starts with winning game 3 at the Footprint Center on Friday night.
You can’t make up two games at once. Take it one game at a time. If Phoenix can focus on protecting their home court twice in a row, then send this thing back to Minnesota tied at 2 a piece, we’ve got a series. That would change the entire narrative despite the (deserved) outside noise saying this thing is over. If you take two, then suddenly it’s a best-of-three series, 0-0.
It very well may be over, especially if they can’t take both home games, but we have seen crazier things happen. They dug themselves a hole, we know this.
Here’s how they can get out.
3 Things the Suns must do to head back to Minnesota tied:
#1) The Role Players: Step Up
The old saying goes “role players play better at home” rings especially true come playoff time. Jaden McDaniels is a prime example of this, as he posted a career game against the Suns on Tuesday, feeding off the energy from Wolves’ crowd.
Grayson Allen’s status complicates things, we will keep you updated on his availability. A home cooking is exactly what he needed, so let’s hope he suits up and his shots start to fall. He had just 3 points in 17 minutes before aggravating his ankle.
Eric Gordon put together a solid game on Tuesday, pouring in 15 points in 23 minutes on 5-9 shooting. Outside of 8 points from Drew Eubanks, the Suns bench offered virtually nothing. Royce O’Neale had zero points and Nassir Little scored 5 quick points in garbage time.
Free Thad Young? Bol Bol? Josh Okogie? This team needs a spark in the worst way. Let’s experiment!
#2) The Crowd: Show Up
The crowd needs to be locked in. After the 2021 playoff run, the crowds seemed to slowly fall off a bit (priced out, not as much excitement, etc.).
If the Suns want to win these games we all know the players have to show up (big if) but the crowd makes it easier. The momentum an engaged crowd pours into a game should not be slept on.
The Suns’ offense has shown it can bury you when they are clicking, so feeding off the crowd to go on one of those patterned (formerly) Suns playoff runs is something they’ll need.
That ties directly into the point above about role players playing better at home. The adrenaline can be contagious, and the confidence can soar. If they win both games it’s going to take some of “the others” (as Shaq says) to rise to the occasion.
Hell, check Bol Bol in for 30 seconds just for the fans to wake up if things get dull. Outside of free t-shirts and chicken sandwiches, Bol Bol is the only constant that gets the people going.
If you’re reading this and going to the game, please bring the energy.
#3) The Stars: Be Stars
We are still waiting for two of the Suns’ “Big 3” to show up in the same game. Kevin Durant put together an impressive game in the series opener, but outside of that Minnesota has straight-up bothered the Suns’ star trio.
I will not go in-depth on this one because it’s fairly simple. The Suns’ stars have to look like stars for them to win.
How bad do they want it? Is it time, Amanda? We shall see.
Minnesota played their game for three of four quarters in Game 2, and the lone quarter the Suns took control was the second when they played their style of basketball and dropped 30 points against the league’s best defense.
Phoenix has to dictate the tempo and force Minnesota into doing things they are uncomfortable doing. It’s how they pulled off wins against them in the regular season. Play your game, do not compromise.
Push the tempo, score in transition, and swing the ball. Make impactful defensive plays. Kevin Durant mentioned it postgame, too.
“We could play a little faster, get out in transition, but that comes with getting stops.”
Kevin Durant as Suns haven’t reached 100 points in each of the first two games in falling down 2-0 to Minnesota in first round series. #Suns #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WV0BdNtlCp
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 24, 2024
NO MORE ISO BALL! If those things aren’t done, the “Wolves in 4” chants will come true.
That is my TED Talk, thanks for listening.