The first quarter is symbolized by the clumsiness of the two teams: 6/17 shooting for the Suns and 4/16 for the Cavs. The latter even started the match with a 0/9. Result, this first act gives birth to a small score rather atypical in this period of big cards: 15-14 in favor of Cleveland.
Under the leadership of Chris Paul, the Suns started the second quarter well with an 18-7 that allowed them to take a 10-point lead. Opposite, Cleveland does not fit anything. The proof, the Cavs are 0/14 to 3-pointers since the start of the game. Finally, the drought will end with an award-winning basket from Caris LeVert less than 4 minutes from the break, imitated on the next possession by Donovan Mitchell. The Suns do not panic and maintain this gap of 10 points which allows them to return to the locker room with a deserved advantage (43-33).
Cleveland returns from the locker room with other intentions. JB Bickerstaff’s men start the 3rd quarter with an 8-1. The Suns will react in stride by taking a 10-point lead. But the entry of Raul Neto will breathe new life into the Cavaliers who will completely return to the match by reducing the gap to 2 points at the end of the 3rd quarter. Despite Chris Paul’s buzzer shot, Cleveland started the last quarter only 5 points behind (64-59).
Caris LeVert scores 9 entry points in the 4th quarter to allow the Cavaliers to return to a tie (70-70). Except that Chris Paul is in great shape, and the Suns regain a 7-point lead. The end of the match is boiling with a 3-point address which returns from the side of Cleveland: Mitchell, Osman and LeVert bring the Cavaliers back to equality (85-85). Hero of the start of the week, Donovan Mitchell gives Cleveland the advantage with an award-winning clutch basket with 40 seconds on the clock (88-85). Landry Shamet responds to him in stride from long distance. The last possession is in the hands of Mitchell who drives and serves Evan Mobley, the latter punishes at mid-distance to give the Cavaliers a 2-point lead with 4 seconds remaining. Mikal Bridges misses the buzzer, and Cleveland overthrows Phoenix 90-88.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The “clutch time” of the Cavaliers. Cleveland was clumsy in shooting almost the entire game, including a 0/14 from 3 points to start. But now, they put the baskets when it mattered the most, that is to say at the end of the match. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley missed the majority of their game and yet they were the ones who won Cleveland late in the game.
– Phoenix can’t do it anymore. Since the injury of Devin Booker, nothing is going for the Suns. Even with a Cleveland team scoring just 33 points in the first half, shooting just 39% overall, Phoenix can’t seem to win. Yet the Suns led throughout the game before cracking in the final seconds. The black series continues: 11 defeats in the last 14 games, including 6 in the last 7.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Caris LeVert. He is the best player of the Cavaliers but he especially sounded the revolt from the start of the 4th quarter: 21 points at 7/11 in shooting including a sublime 5/7 from 3 points.
✅ Raúl Neto. He’s the type of player you want to have in your team. He breathed momentum off the bench by being present offensively but also defensively: 14 points at 5/7 shooting.
✅ ChrisPaul. The best player of the match while making his teammates shine: 25 points at 9/17 shooting including 3/5 at 3 points as well as 8 assists.
✅ Deandre Ayton. Very solid match, he was dominant offensively. He dominated in the opposing racket and yet he had two customers in front with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley: 15 points at 7/12 shooting and 18 rebounds!
⛔️ Global marksmanship. The game was marked by mediocre skill from both teams: 39% shooting for Cleveland and 39.5% for Phoenix.
THE FOLLOWING
Riders (25-14): Travel to the Nuggets overnight from Friday to Saturday.
Suns (20-19): Reception of the Heat on the night of Friday to Saturday.
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