There are so many good teams in the NBA. There will be several tough match-ups for the Suns this upcoming season. Which teams will be the toughest for Phoenix to beat? This is part three of the series. Part one and part two go over some of the other tough match-ups for the Suns.
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Mar 14, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns lost both of their games against the Milwaukee Bucks last season. The Suns scored 101 and 104 points respectively in those games. Milwaukee had the fourth best defensive rating in the league last season. The only teams that rated better on defense were the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Boston Celtics.
Not only will the Suns have to deal with the Bucks stifling defense but they also have to deal with their scoring ability. Jrue Holiday played well against Phoenix last season. Holiday averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists against the Suns.
The combination of Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton will make the Bucks a nightmare match-up for any NBA team. The Suns only have to deal with them twice next season, unless they meet in the NBA Finals again.
Los Angeles Clippers
Apr 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) hangs from the rim after a slam dunk against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Suns and Los Angeles Clippers split their season series last season, 2-2. There isn’t much to take away from last season’s regular season match-ups as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George only played together in one of those games. That has been the biggest issue with Los Angeles since they signed Leonard and traded for George. Will they play tonight is always a question that has to be asked.
When Leonard and George are on the court, they are one of the best duos in the NBA. They are two very good defenders who can cause issues for Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Leonard and George are also very good scorers who make their opponents work on that end of the floor as well, trying to stop them.
The Clippers and Suns met in the first round of the playoffs last season. Leonard played in two games and George didn’t play in any but the series was still competitive. Phoenix won the series, 4-1, but three of those four wins were by six points or less.
This is a big “if” but if the Clippers are healthy. This will be one of the tougher match-ups that the Suns will deal with all season.
