The NBA playoffs are almost around the corner. It is never too early to look at the Western Conference landscape.
Scouting possible opponents comes with a number of caveats, including health, individual matchups, and more.
Here are my favorite and least favorite first-round matchups for the Phoenix Suns. This list focuses on realistic matchups, considering the Suns are the sixth seed.
Before Minnesota supporters get insulted, I don’t believe this is a “easy” matchup by any means. Looking at the alternatives, this is the least frightening matchup in the storied Western Conference. This would be the current matchup if the standings were set today as 3 vs. 6.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ status is unclear; while he is expected to be ready for the playoffs, we do not know what version of KAT they will get. In an ideal world, the Suns would rise to the fifth spot while Minnesota would slip to fourth, resulting in a 4-5 matchup with OKC keeping the top seed.
The Thunder cause some matchup issues across the board. Their athleticism, youth, and capability to
The Thunder cause some matchup issues across the board. Their athleticism, youth, and ability to play small ball efficiently are concerning.
On the other hand, you can utilize their incapacity to rebound and youth against them. This is a series that I believe will go at least six games, with several instant classics due to the attacking firepower on both sides.
I’d choose the Suns in six, but it’d be a dogfight of a series.
The defending champions should certainly get more credit and rank fourth, but the Clippers are simply dangerous to me in a playoff environment.
I’ll put it bluntly: if the Suns aren’t at full strength and clicking going into a game against the Nuggets or Clippers, they’ll leave early.
A “tie-breaker” series between Phoenix and Denver with both teams at full strength would provide food for families. If possible, I’d like to see it happen in the Western Conference Finals.
Suns supporters will not like this one, but at full strength, I believe the Clippers will defeat the Suns. I’d be thrilled to be proven incorrect here, but Ty Lue does an excellent job of strategizing during the playoffs, even when shorthanded. Their size, shooting ability, and mobility on the wing make them a matchup nightmare for Phoenix.
If the stars align and Harden, George, and Leonard are all healthy at the same time, this Suns team will face a difficult challenge. The chances of both teams being at full strength (excluding Russ for LAC) are remote, but it would make for an incredible series.
This remark could get me in trouble in the future, but I believe the Warriors are done. Sue me. They could win a game or two if Steph Curry gets hot, but I don’t believe they pose a serious threat to a full-strength Suns squad.
Their home record is an underwhelming 17-17, the worst in the group. If they get past the play-in, their age, lack of depth, and predictability will ensure a first-round departure.
The “ref-ball” situation with this team terrifies me because of the expected free throw differential, especially given the different styles of play of each of these teams.
That being said, the Suns at full strength boast more firepower and youth.
and depth than the current Lakers squad. They are another team that I believe will fall in the play-in/first round, but while Dallas is dealing with some challenges, their tandem of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving is exciting. They have size, shooting ability, and have used inventive defensive strategies to expose the Suns throughout the years.
They and New Orleans are the most difficult matchups for the Suns out of this last group.Everyone sees.
