Sacramento @ Phoenix

 

Recently we were treated to a marquee Western conference Semi-Final series between the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings. The Kings held the home court due to their 55-27 record, 2^nd in the West, over the 52-30 record of the 3^rd place Kings. The series was always touted to be a hard fought affair with most tipping it would go to 6 or 7 games with the Kings near 2-1 odds of favourites according to the 22 pundits who voted for a series winner. A really tough call when you’re facing the higher seeded team, but who wants to bet against Lebron in the playoffs?

 

Game 1 went against the logical grain with the Kings drawing first blood, on their away court. At half time the game was in the balance but a big time 3^rd quarter saw the game open to a near double digit lead by the 4^th and then finish off with an 8 point win to the visiting Kings. Lebron and Jimmy Butler went toe to toe at the Point guard position, and you could argue that it was Lebron’s 44 to Jimmy’s 35 points that was the winner, as it was nearly the exact margin. Noel bested Nurkic too, which would have to change if the Suns are going to get an advantage somewhere and free throws were the nail in the coffin at 29 to 12. 1-0 Kings.

 

Game 2 was a revenge game. The Suns came out fired up and immediately took a 13 point lead into the 1^st change, which extended to 21 by the half and that was the game pretty much. 40 from Lebron wasn’t enough as Butler neared triple double territory and Nurkic dominated the boards with 18 (7 offensive). Taurean Prince came to play with 22 also for the Suns and the aggression went back the other way in this one as the free throw count again went lop sided, 30 to 14, to the Suns this time. 1-1 heading to Sacramento.

 

Game 3 was a surprise game after what we had seen originally from the Kings in Game 1, as they seemed to be complacent. The Suns came out scorching again and took an 11 point lead by the 1^st, which did though whittle down to 2 by the half. The 3^rd was the Suns by a couple extra and the 4^th just nailed it home as the Suns reclaimed the series lead behind a 5-5-5-5-5 game by Jimmy…29/8/8/5 and 8 turnovers. Lebron’s triple double wasn’t enough and the lack of aggression again cost the Kings as the FT count was in fact exactly different by the final margin, 12. Amazingly, no Sun had more than 8 rebounds, but they got the job done. 2-1 Suns.

 

Game 4 saw some changes made to rotations and whatever happened to Phoenix didn’t work. Outside of Jimmy’s 42 points, only Prince scored in double figures, with 14, while the Kings had 6 players hit double figures le3d by Lebron’s 29. The game was a double digit result to the home court Kings and it simply came down to protecting the ball slightly better and shooting slightly better. We were headed back to Phoenix at 2-2, right where we thought we’d be.

 

Game 5 was important and a line-up change to the Kings which saw PJ Tucker have a field day at PF, dropping 23 points, was just what the doctor ordered. 6 Kings scored in double figures again and 3 over 20, and that was more than enough for a blow out to the Kings. Butler was again gallant with 32 points, but more rebounds, more steals and far more free throws was the recipe for a key victory away. 3-2 to the Kings.

 

Game 6 was back in Sacramento and the Kings were on a mission. They had no intention of going back to Phoenix and held sway all game. 57% from the field, led by a Lebron triple double and they had 7 players hit double figures too. They lost the rebound battle, but it didn’t matter with that shooting as the rebound discrepancy was all offensive, 18-4 to Phoenix. The Suns tried hard, 5 players in double figures too, but it wasn’t enough and the series was done in 6.

 

Congratulations to the Kings of heading to the Western Conference Finals. Lebron James was the series MVP behind 35.5 points per game, while Jimmy Butler did his best Lebron impersonation on the other side leading his team with 32.8 points. The Kings were simply too well rounded, with their elite superstar leading the way and the Suns will regroup for another shot next year.

 

- NSL Insider News.