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The Phoenix Suns head into their second-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets with no shortage of confidence. Despite Chris Paul's limited minutes in the opening series versus the Lakers, the Suns did just fine. Deandre Ayton stepped up alongside several role players, but the main reason they were able to knock out the defending champions was Devin Booker. He is the key to beating the Denver Nuggets.
Book averaged 29 points, 6.2 rebounds, and five assists in the first round while shooting an impressive 43% from downtown. Keep in mind, he just torched the best defense in the league. The Lakers had no answers for the Suns star, especially in the last two contests of the series. In Game 6, Booker erupted for 47 while scoring 22 points in the first quarter alone. He was hitting shots at a ridiculous rate and frankly, had his way with LA.
While CP3 is the engine of the offense because of his ability to slow the game down and facilitate at a high level, we honestly just don't know how healthy he's going to be due to that shoulder injury. Booker needs to rise to the occasion for the Suns.
The Nuggets are solid defensively but at this point, no one has actually been able to contain Booker. He's been patiently waiting to show out on the big stage and with the way Book is currently playing, there's a growing belief the Suns can go all the way.
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He's shooting the ball extremely well from deep on all types of looks and keep in mind that Portland shot 39.2% from three-point range against the Nuggets. Damian Lillard went off but he did have to create his own shot a lot of the time. However, Booker is capable of the same.
There's also a clear mismatch between the two backcourts. The Suns have Book and when healthy, Paul. Denver lacks depth and experience without Murray, turning to Facundo Campazzo and Austin Rivers.
Without Devin Booker firing on all cylinders, Phoenix will have a tough time getting past Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. He is the ultimate X-factor for the Suns.
