The Phoenix Suns offence has been explosive through two games, but it's on the defensive end where they are putting in the work.
The Denver Nuggets are averaging just 101.5 points per game thus far, with the Suns stifling defence creating all kinds of problems for Michael Malone's squad.
Suns head coach Monty Williams praised his team's preparation, which begins each game at morning shootaround.
"We always try to come to the gym in the morning with a great deal of focus," Williams told reporters. "I think when you see the communication on the floor and guys pointing where they need to be, it's a good sign."
The Suns set the tone on the defensive end in the first half, creating several offensive opportunities from turnovers, with one Torrey Craig chase down block standing out to Williams.
.@TCraig_23 said ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/rG9bLWe2Qe
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 10, 2021
"I don't get excited much, I just like it when we make plays like that," he said with a smile.
While he was quick to acknowledge the entire group, Chris Paul's 15-assist, 0-turnover performance was front of mind.
"He manages games better than anyone I've ever been around, he just understands. Once he gets an idea of an offence and the guys he's playing with he has the ability to use his talents to make everybody else better and then he knows when to take over in moments.
"Guys have to make shots but Chris is one of the rare guards who puts passes right where they need to be so guys are more effective when they catch the ball. His ability to take care of the ball when he has it a lot, it's not something I take for granted, our team doesn't take it for granted. It's why he's been successful everywhere he's been."
"I think it's an unselfish group. They're willing to make plays for each other, we share the ball, that's part of our DNA. It helps to play together for a long period of time. We don't have the expereince that a lot of the playoff teams have but we've had this year to gel and we've had a lot of close game at home and on the road so that helps.
I think having Mikael and DA and Book in our system for a few years speeds up that process and then Jae and Chris, those guys can pretty much play with anybody."
With the series now heading to Denver for Game 3 and 4, the message in the Phoenix locker room is to carry the same energy on the road, with the Nuggets no stranger to coming from behind in a playoff series.
"We just talk about being relentless is everything we do. Moving on to the next play. Do the next right thing. That's the relentless force that we feel like travels, you can take that effort on the road and we understand it's a long series. We've won two games, we can't get happy on the farm, we got to get back in the gym tomorrow, look at the film and see what we can do better."
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