Chris Paul Under Pressure To Protect Home Court

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

A couple of costly Chris Paul turnovers has fans wondering if he’ll find his groove again before Game 5 in the newly-named Footprint Center. Head coach Monty Williams isn’t concerned with his ability to rebound from his underwhelming Game 4 performance. 

“There’s not a person in our locker room that’s not expecting him to come out and play really well next game,” said Williams. “His focus is at a high, high level right now.”

While teammate Devin Booker had a record-breaking night, CP3 posted only 10 points and caused five of the Suns’ 17 turnovers. Now Paul’s attention has shifted to Game 5 and he’s focussing on creating more opportunities for his teammates. 

“It’s something I don’t dwell on, even though it may be an anomaly for me, it happens,” Paul said. “At the end of the day we gotta win the game and me turning the ball over is not giving us enough shots at the basket.”

Williams stressed that Paul has been locked in over the last few days and is focused on what’s in front of him. As far as his Game 4 performance is concerned, Williams called it “A blip on the screen.”

Home court has been the advantage for the Suns and the Bucks in this Finals series. With the teams splitting the series, it appears winning Game 5 will be vital for the Suns’ potential to win it all. 

“We didn’t sweep but one series so this is what happens in a series,” Paul said. “This is why they make it seven games and this is the Finals so it’s traumatic, so we gotta protect home court and win the game tomorrow.”

CP3 emphasized that he is feeling healthy and his prior hand injury has not affected his performance at any point in the playoffs.