Even if Anthony Davis had played, I don’t think the Suns would’ve lost Tuesday night’s game five to the Lakers. The Suns out hustled and outworked LA in a 115-85 blowout, setting up an elimination game Thursday night in Los Angeles. Devin Booker led the way with 30 points. The Suns had 29 assists and just 4 turnovers.
The only question I have is why was Chris Paul on the floor in a 78-45 game with 18 minutes to go in the game? Paul appeared to reinjure his shoulder after a hard foul by the Lakers Wesley Mathews. Paul would leave the game and head to the locker room.
Monty Williams said after the game that Paul told him he still had strength in his shoulder. Well, that sounds good right after a 30-point victory. There is just no good explanation for Paul to be anywhere near the court when you’re up 33 in the third quarter, and the opposition doesn’t have one of their superstar players.
I was surprised with how soft and slowed the Lakers looked on the defensive end of the court in the first half. Having Markieff Morris try and stay with Booker was laughable.
On TNT’s postgame show, Shaq said of his former team, “They play soft, they play with no heart.”
So Thursday night, the Suns can eliminate the defending NBA Champions.
Brad Cesmat
