Compare this tough and forced up shot by Devin Booker with Jrue Holiday all over him, to the opening play of game 4. Starts under the basket, comes out and around Ayton, goes to his spot and raises up for the bucket.
Booker and Khris Middleton exploded for 42 and 40 points respectively. They both did it in a similar way, and neither team could find an answer.
So let me break down this deathmatch and show you how they got their points. What up everybody, my name is Stefan and this is Heat Check. Let’s get into it.
As you saw in the opening, Phoenix wanted to put Devin in actions where he would be on the move.
Right here we got the high screen and Tucker is trailing, Lopez drops to protect for the alley oop, and Book is uncontested to float this one in.
Just moments later, this is almost like a replay. Same exact setup, the drive, and although he misses this time, gets the rebound and follows it up with a bucket.
Then look at this double screen alignment for Booker to come off of, and have a shot right here at the elbow area, his favorite spot.
So as he curls, the big man hands it off, and bumps Tucker, creating space which is more than enough for a shooter like Book.
And again, this is once again the same play, only this time Jrue Holiday is on him. And that doesn’t matter because it’s the same result.
He used these to get in a great rhythm, and start the game off blazing hot. So when you’re in that kind of a zone, then you can get into your groove and shoot a contested stepback that swishes, or go into a crowd and raise up with 3 defenders around.
He could not be stopped. The only thing actually stopping Devin from going for 50 or more in this game was himself. He got in foul trouble and missed important stretches of the game, especially in the fourth quarter.
And the only guy stopping Phoenix from getting the win, was Khris Middleton.
I talked about the pick and roll with Giannis and how that needs to be utilized more.
Well, check out how easy this shot is for Middleton, with a simple pick to get Bridges behind him, and you see the light contest by Ayton as the shot goes up, so this is a bucket.
Moments later, same thing just on the left wing. And as he goes to shoot it, look at all the space, completely uncontested on a mid range jumper. He’ll take that any day.
In the fourth, down by 2, this is the play they go to. Bridges is trailing once again, this one is a bit tougher shot for Khris but he still is able to knock it down.
And finally, moments later, again in the clutch, same pick and roll with Giannis, same situation against Ayton, same shot, and same result. Bucks take the lead.
Watching these plays, even straight up 1 on 1, Bridges is clearly no match for Middleton as you can see how easy it is for the Bucks shooter to raise up for a shot any time he wants.
It’s obvious that the height difference is a factor here and the Suns are definitely going to have to switch things up defensively if they want to regain control in a crucial game 5.
The finals keep getting better and more interesting as the series progresses. I like that. More videos on the way so stay tuned. That’s it for now, subscribe and talk to you in the next one. Peace out.