Updated: May 18, 2006, 3:33 PM ET
Scouting report: Clippers vs. Suns Game 6
Scouts Inc.
Round 2 scouting reports:
Clippers-Suns
The Clippers are trying to stop Steve Nash as a scorer in this series and they have limited his points, but the Suns are doing a better job spacing and moving without the basketball around him. The Suns have had success with Nash dribbling to the foul line and having players come up from the baseline and curl around him, back toward the hoop waiting for a handoff. The Clippers continue to struggle against the pick-and-pop play on the 3-point line. The Clippers are so focused on Nash that they rarely stay with the screener to contest his shot. The Suns should allow Raja Bell to run the point more when Nash is on the bench, allowing Leandro Barbosa to play his natural shooting guard position. Sam Cassell is a worse defender than advertised. Every Suns player should look to go at him if they have him in a switch.
Suns defense: When the Suns have Nash defend Corey Maggette instead of Cassell, it might be a trap to try and get the Clippers away from going to Elton Brand. Boris Diaw has to do a better job blocking out Chris Kaman on the defensive glass. Kaman gets too many second chance opportunities, but the Suns might not have to worry about Kaman because of his shoulder injury that limited him to 20 minutes in Game 5.
Clippers defense: Los Angeles is having a difficult time deciding how it's going to switch on perimeter pick-and-rolls, and on curls towards the paint. The Clippers are going to have to switch on everything and communicate that to each other, instead of worrying about a match-up disadvantage after a switch. If the player who Nash is defending goes to the post, this can be effective keeping Nash behind everyone after a defensive rebound instead of ahead of the field waiting for an outlet pass.
Original pick: Clippers in six.
Scouting report: Clippers vs. Suns Game 6
Scouts Inc.
Round 2 scouting reports:
Clippers-Suns
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Suns offense: The Clippers are trying to stop Steve Nash as a scorer in this series and they have limited his points, but the Suns are doing a better job spacing and moving without the basketball around him. The Suns have had success with Nash dribbling to the foul line and having players come up from the baseline and curl around him, back toward the hoop waiting for a handoff. The Clippers continue to struggle against the pick-and-pop play on the 3-point line. The Clippers are so focused on Nash that they rarely stay with the screener to contest his shot. The Suns should allow Raja Bell to run the point more when Nash is on the bench, allowing Leandro Barbosa to play his natural shooting guard position. Sam Cassell is a worse defender than advertised. Every Suns player should look to go at him if they have him in a switch.
Suns defense: When the Suns have Nash defend Corey Maggette instead of Cassell, it might be a trap to try and get the Clippers away from going to Elton Brand. Boris Diaw has to do a better job blocking out Chris Kaman on the defensive glass. Kaman gets too many second chance opportunities, but the Suns might not have to worry about Kaman because of his shoulder injury that limited him to 20 minutes in Game 5.
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Clippers offense: The Clippers can win Game 6 by using a two-man game of Brand and Cassell. Los Angeles has a lot of players whose shot selection is questionable, but Brand almost always will make the right decision. Too many plays just end with him in the post. As good as he is, the Phoenix double team is active enough to not allow Brand an easy catch. Maggette had a poor start to Game 5 when he was defended by Nash. Maggette bailed Nash out by settling for jump shots, and would set up in the post on Brand's side of the paint, clogging the area. If this defensive pairing is a trap by the Suns' coaches, find out by running some isolation for Maggette instead of acting surprised by it. The Clippers have the athleticism to play a fastbreak game with the Suns, but not the mentality, evidenced by their carelessness with the basketball in key possessions. Clippers defense: Los Angeles is having a difficult time deciding how it's going to switch on perimeter pick-and-rolls, and on curls towards the paint. The Clippers are going to have to switch on everything and communicate that to each other, instead of worrying about a match-up disadvantage after a switch. If the player who Nash is defending goes to the post, this can be effective keeping Nash behind everyone after a defensive rebound instead of ahead of the field waiting for an outlet pass.
Original pick: Clippers in six.
