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The L.A. Clippers went down 0-2 in both their first round battles and they ended up winning each.
However, in both of those earlier series, the Clippers had a healthy Kawhi Leonard in Games 3 and 4. This time, they do NOT.
Also, the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz didn’t have Chris Paul walking through that door. The Suns DO.
CP3 was playing through a hurt shoulder in the first round against the L.A. Lakers. He was “back” against the Nuggets as he had 61-58-100 shooting splits and averages of 25.5 points, 10.3 assists and only 1.3 turnovers per game in the Sweeping of Denver.
The Suns are up 2-0 thanks to some epic performances and moments.
In Game 1, Book went ballistic with a 40-13-11 stat line.
Be Legendary young man! Nothing you do surprises me! You are the Son of The Valley!
— FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) June 20, 2021
1st Career Triple Double in the Biggest game of your life! Western Conference Finals! 7 more Planet Orange pic.twitter.com/0TfI0rnZej
In Game 2, we witnessed the Valley-Oop.
VALLEY OOP!
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 23, 2021
. #RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/W7TWWX9Ld4
Deandre Ayton has made 22 of his 29 field goals and is posting 22 points and 11.5 rebounds this series. Tack that onto the impressive postseason he’s having.
.@DeandreAyton is shooting 72.6% this postseason, the best FG% by any @NBA player over a 12-game span in the playoffs in the shot clock era (min. 100 att).
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 23, 2021
@EliasSports pic.twitter.com/GaoCwAb0u0
Cam Johnson made all 5 of his shots in Game 2.
Cam Payne is doing his best impersonation of CP3. He had 29 points and 9 assists with only 1 turnover in Game 2 and is posting an incredible 18/1 assist to turnover ratio this series.
@campayne joined LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as the only players with 29+ points, 9+ assists and 0 turnovers in a Conference Finals or Finals game.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 24, 2021
(H/T Stathead) pic.twitter.com/oiQI3BQjEF
The team played so well without Paul and projected forward by their inspiring chemistry, they’ve taken a demanding lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Now, our Point God is coming back with a strong smell of blood in the water and ready to thank his teammates and coach for more than holding down the fort for him.
It’s time, Suns fans. We are TWO wins away from the NBA Finals.
Imagine saying that two years ago. They would have labeled us crazy and put us in a “safe place”. Times are much different now. These Suns are doing so much to help us try to forget about all the suffering we had to endure while at the same time going through it makes this feel even better.
Just enjoy the ride and let’s hope at the end we all enjoy the ultimate prize.