The Most Unfair Game In The World

Game 7. No matter how you slice it, it has nothing to do with basketball. Sure, at its core, it’s just a game. At the same time, it’s the most unfair stage of the basketball world. Most of the time, the two teams aren’t playing basketball. It’s a war of attrition.

It’s a win you’ll never forget and a loss you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life. Tomorrow, we’ll see two such games. Here’s what to expect (or not to expect) from both of these games.

Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks

Jerry Bembry: Suns in 6
Kendra Andrews: Suns in 6
Jamal Collier: Suns in 7
Nick DePaula: Suns in 6
Nick Friedell: Suns in 6
Kirk Goldsberry: Suns in 6
Israel Gutierrez: Suns in 6
Tim Legler: Suns in 6
Andrew Lopez: Suns in 6
Zach Lowe: Suns in 6
Tim MacMahon: Suns in 7
Bobby Marks: Suns in 6
Dave McMenamin: Suns in 5
Kevin Pelton: Suns in 7
Omar Raja: Suns in 6
Jorge Sedano: Suns in 6
Ramona Shelbourne: Suns in 7
Andrè Snellings: Suns in 5
Marc J. Spears: Suns in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Suns in 7

Final Tally – Suns 20 / Mavericks 0

If this doesn’t describe this series perfectly, I don’t know what will. By all accounts, the Dallas Mavericks shouldn’t be here. At times, they’ve looked helpless against the top-seeded Suns. And yet, here we are. They have a fighter’s chance to pull off a major upset.

Phoenix has played up and down in this series. Dallas is playing with house money. So, who will win the most unfair game in the world?

Under Pressure

This feels redundant, but I’ll put this here anyway. Obviously, both teams are going to be under tremendous pressure. It’s a win-or-go-home game for both sides. But, if we’re being honest, one team in this matchup is under more pressure than the other.

The Suns are trying to get back to the Finals after coming up short last year. Not even making the conference finals would be damning. Dallas, on the other hand, is playing with house money. If they lose later today, we’ll applaud them for their efforts.

To be in a game seven with Phoenix is a testament to how far they’ve come. Is that a double standard? Yes. But you would be kidding yourself if you said Dallas was under more pressure. Phoenix has so much more to lose.

The Suns are Jack Walsh, trying to get the Duke back to Eddie before Friday at midnight.
The Mavericks are Peter Gibbons pushing that letter under Lumbergh’s door.

They’re just not the same.

Patterns

Throughout a course of a series, patterns emerge. Some are expected – like Phoenix-winning by an average of 19 points at home. Others, like Chris Paul averaging 3.7 turnovers, are unexpected. But, there are a few patterns from this series I want to highlight.

The first is Jalen Brunson. Brunson’s breakout campaign was punctuated in the first round – where he was the best player until Luka Doncic returned from injury. Against the Suns, he’s had a harder time scoring. But, when he gets going, Dallas wins;

Jalen Brunson In Wins: 21.3 ppg / 3:7 AST:TO Ratio / 54% TS / 5.7 FTA
Jalen Brunson In Losses: 14.3 ppg / 1.1 TO:AST Ratio / 44% TS / 3.0 FTA

Brunson’s playstyle hasn’t changed throughout this series. He’s going to put his head down and drive – trying to probe around the paint before unleashing a pretty, short fadeaway. Brunson has to be aggressive, putting pressure on Phoenix’s defense. He also has to lead things when Doncic isn’t on the floor.

The second pattern is…Chris Paul? Huh? After a blistering start to this series, Chris Paul has slowed down. The turnovers, stupid fouls, and missed shots have been aplenty. Since game two, Paul’s numbers look far from his usual standards of excellence;

9.3 points / 6.3 assists / 4.5 Turnovers / -4.5 plus/minus

In a series where the backcourts are elite, Chris Paul has to stand out. We all know he can do it, but he could be the difference in game 7.

Luka Doncic

I was right about Luka Doncic. Not even the Phoenix Suns can slow him down. Fueled by a sizzling beef with Devin Booker, Doncic has been marvelous throughout the series. Not only does he create enough open looks ’till rapture, he can score whenever he wants.

The last time he was in a game seven, he dropped a casual 46 points. I have no reason to believe he won’t do that again. But, I have a few minor concerns going into this game. Let’s start with fatigue.

We’ve seen Doncic get gassed at times because he’s being asked to do too much. In game two, we saw Phoenix hunt Luka out defensively after he tired himself on offense. Giving Luka some possessions off on both ends will be needed to preserve him for the whole game. And, the non-Luka minutes will again be crucial for Dallas’ success.

Secondly, let’s talk about free throws. They’re the one flaw in Doncic’s game. In this series, he’s shot just 74% from the line. In a game seven, free throws are everything. Leaving points off the board, especially against a team like Phoenix is a death sentence.

Doncic is Dallas’ only real chance to win this game. If he has the legs to go the distance, so does Dallas. Let’s see what the Wunderkind has in store for us.

The Final Verdict

One part of me thinks this is an easy decision. Not only is Pheonix a much better team, they’ve dominated Dallas at home during this series. Chris Paul’s struggles be damned – they’re going to steamroll Dallas.

But, another part of me thinks that Dallas has nothing to lose. They’re playing with house money. They’re Peter Gibbons, right? So, with the odds stacked against them, they’ll escape with a win. Somehow, someway.

And a third part of me that I didn’t know existed until now is hoping for chaos (and Warriors vs Suns). I’m siding with him. But, going into this series, I said suns in 7. So…

SUNS WIN

Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks

It would be hard to find a more physical, grueling series than this one. Is it any coincidence that twice, the most important play of the game has come inches from the rim? I think not. Game six was highlighted by an epic Tatum/Giannis duel. That’s been the theme of the series. Stars will be stars.

Two of the biggest, toughest, and most defensive minded teams on the same court? On one of the most historic venues in all of sports? Sign me up.

Non-Giannis Production

Sure, the Celtics have not been able to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even though they’re well-equipped to do so, stopping the 2x MVP is easier said than done. But, the Celtics have made their game plan clear. If it’s not Giannis, we’re good.

Jrue Holiday can take all the wild, early in the possession shots he want. Grayson Allen can shoot Milwaukee out of games. The only person who’s been a thorn in the C’s defense has been Pat Connaughton. Other than that, the Celtics have bottled up everybody not named Giannis.

Barring a performance of a lifetime, that trend with continue for Milwaukee. It’s not a good sign, given that you can’t win a game 7 with just one player. In game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals back in 2018, even Lebron James had three other teammates in double-digits.

We can count on Giannis to score 35+ points. He will also create open looks for his teammates. To win this game, the Bucks will need guys to step up. Khris Middleton won’t be there to bail them out late in possessions. If he can’t be there, who can?

Adjustment Battle

This series has been a chess match between two great coaches. Yes, I just called Mike Budenholzer a great coach. I don’t like it either. But, to his credit, he’s met Ime Udoka at every step of the turn. Both teams are constantly changing their plans, adjusting for everything they see.

Recently, there have been two major adjustments. For one, Brook Lopez has fallen out of the rotation. Milwaukee has gone smaller, and hasn’t been using as much drop coverage ever since Jayson Tatum got going. While Lopez will start, don’t expect more than 25 minutes from him.

On the flip side, the Celtics have stopped running screens for Jayson Tatum. His jump shots weren’t falling against the Bucks’ drop coverage. So, the Celtics have resorted to a strategy as old as time. I am better than you.

Tatum has been hunting switches onto Connaughton, Allen, and George Hill. His postups and screening actions have increased. During his 46-point explosion in game 6, isolations and contested jumpers were all over the place.

Boston is avoiding letting the Bucks send help at Tatum. Unless the Bucks go high-school mode and double Tatum every time he touches the ball, he’ll see the same things in game six. In that case, it might be time for another Tatum 46-special.

The Final Verdict

While Suns vs Mavericks will be a finesse game, this is straight-up bully ball. And, given that they’re getting Timelord back for this game, I have to go with Boston. They’re the deeper, better team. Over the past few games, they’ve scored more.

Outside of Giannis, the Bucks haven’t had enough difference makers. Expect this to be an ugly, physical game that likely comes down to the wire again. While Boston is notoriously bad at closing out games, I think they’ll advance to the conference finals.

CELTICS WIN

Who’s Winning The Two Game 7’s Tonight? Leave A Comment Down Below!

Follow My Instagram & Facebook To Never Miss A Post: @hoopnotions

The Most Unfair Game In The World