The Phoenix Suns are looking to close out the series against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight in game 5 to earn their spot in the 2021 NBA Finals. After the return of Chris Paul from the NBA’s health and safety protocol, the Suns took a 3-1 series lead over the Clippers who were without and will be without superstar forward Kawhi Leonard as he is ruled out for Game 5 on Monday.
With Phoenix being just one win away from getting Paul to his first NBA Finals they have the opportunity to make some history as one of the most unlikely teams in today’s NBA to make it to the biggest stage in basketball.
A huge Factor in this amazing postseason display has been the Suns’ big man Deandre Ayton. Ayton has scored the first points in every game this series and the odds have him doing it again tonight. Ayton has played his heart out this year and all that work is showing as he gets very high praises from his team.
“Chris Paul was quick to give credit for the Phoenix Suns’ 84-80 win in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals over the Los Angeles Clippers to center Deandre Ayton. “That man right over there, Deandre Ayton, we gonna get him a bag this summer,” Paul told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols after the game, according to Arizona Sports.
It’s win or go home for the Clippers
In Game 4 alone Ayton had 22 rebounds and 19 points. There is nothing more you can ask of your starting center if he is getting over 20 rebounds in one game as well as scoring in double figures. It is very safe to say that the Phoenix Suns would not be where they are right now without the hard work of Deandre Ayton.
For Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers if they do not make great strides and win this game Kawhi Leonard’s future in L.A. is very uncertain. It has been rumored that Leonard is very unhappy with the team’s medical staff and that could be another thing that might push him away.
If the Suns can close out the series tonight they should have a decent amount of rest and prep time for whoever comes out of the east whether that is the Bucks or the Hawks. But there is a great chance that the Clippers will make it more of a series tonight with a Game 5 road win.