The Phoenix Suns are now one win away from eliminating the defending champs Los Angeles Lakers after humiliating them in Game 5.
Follow Us
The Los Angeles Lakers were facing an uphill battle entering Game 5 of the NBA play-offs as they were without the services of All-Star big man Anthony Davis. The Phoenix Suns blitzed the defending champions in the first half and never looked back on their way to a 115-85 win.
Book things#RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/AZMRLqOxJS
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 2, 2021
Devin Booker was superb for Phoenix as he led all scorers with 30 points on 13 for 23 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and five assists. LeBron James did all he could to give Los Angeles a chance to compete, he finished the loss with 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds in 32 minutes of action. But it wasn’t enough in the end as the Suns cruised to victory.
LeBron James nearly won a championship without Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love. He came one JR Smith miscue away from toppling the greatest team in NBA history singlehandedly. When his team needed him to win a game by himself, for most of the past 15 years, he was able to find a way to do it.
But without Anthony Davis, the Suns were keyed on James completely. He’s still recovering from a high-ankle sprain that probably won’t get back to 100 percent at any point this postseason.
Mamba Forever ? pic.twitter.com/FzWNaOfv9a
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 2, 2021
The fact that Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were held scoreless in this game, there wasn’t much LeBron could do. Schroder’s shooting form has been poor ever since he returned from a health and safety induced absence.
Earlier this season, the Lakers reportedly offered Schroder a four-year, $84 million contract extension. He rejected it. With every shot Schroder missed in the game, it was just a reminder of what might turn out to be one of the worst decisions of his career.
Prior to a collision with Wesley Matthews in the third quater, it was unclear how healthy Paul actually was. Paul was incredible in Game 4, and yes, he made his first 3-pointer of the series on Tuesday, but he shot just 3 for 9 overall. Devin Booker did most of the heavy lifting offensively.
The handles though. Sheesh ? pic.twitter.com/v8gR0qOJaB
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 2, 2021
It certainly didn’t seem like he was nearly back to 100 percent at any point in this game, and with Cameron Payne playing as well as he has, the Suns can afford to be cautious.
If Paul seriously aggravated his shoulder injury, Phoenix could probably still win Game 6 without him if Anthony Davis is out as well.
With the win, Phoenix takes a 3-2 lead in their best of seven NBA play-offs series with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday
