Are the Suns' Strategic Decisions Costing Them the Playoffs?

The Phoenix Suns' lack of three-point attempts is raising eyebrows and may be costing them the playoffs. Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets saw the Suns' worst offensive performance of the postseason. Denver was surprising in its defensive maneuvering, limiting a team with three generational offensive talents. Phoenix is taking an early-2000s-era 23.5 three-pointers a night in the season. The team averaged the fewest attempts per game since 2019. The Nuggets may send two to the ball in screen-and-rolls, and Jokic can contest shots, making it harder for the Suns to get their shots in the second round. The Suns need to get more comfortable hunting for threes off the catch. The small ball strategy worked against the Clippers, but it may not work against a healthier Nuggets. Devin Booker has been the bright spot in the Suns' performance, but with Chris Paul going down with a groin injury in Game 2 and Kevin Durant having a historically inefficient night, the Suns are now facing a 2-0 series deficit in the Western Conference Semifinals.

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