2025-11-12 13:00
I remember watching Game 3 of the NBA Finals with that sinking feeling in my stomach - the kind every basketball fan gets when their team just can't seem to find their rhythm. The Phoenix Suns looked like a completely different team from the one that dominated the first two games, and frankly, it was tough to watch. Having followed this team through thick and thin, I've seen this pattern before, and I'm convinced we're about to witness one of those classic bounce-back performances in Game 4. The key lies in understanding what went wrong and, more importantly, recognizing that the solution might be simpler than we think.
When I heard Grayson Miller's post-game comments about dealing with nerves, it immediately clicked for me. Having played competitive basketball at the college level, I can tell you that pressure does strange things to even the most talented athletes. Miller admitted that they were indeed nerves coming into this game - but with the help of his coaches, he was able to settle down and perform what's expected of him. That single statement reveals everything about what the Suns need to fix before Tuesday's crucial matchup. The coaching staff deserves credit for recognizing the psychological aspect of the game, but they need to apply this approach across the entire roster. I've seen Chris Paul in pressure situations throughout his career, and while he's typically unflappable, even veterans can get caught up in the moment when the stakes are this high.
The numbers from Game 3 tell a stark story - the Suns shot just 42% from the field compared to their regular season average of 49.2%. That's a massive drop-off, and in my analysis, it's directly related to their offensive rhythm being disrupted by hesitation and overthinking. Devin Booker took 14 three-point attempts but only connected on 3 of them. That's 21% from beyond the arc, way below his season average of 34%. When players are tight, their shooting form changes slightly, their release becomes quicker, and their decision-making suffers. I noticed at least 5 possessions where Booker passed up open looks he would normally take without thinking twice. The Bucks deserve credit for their defensive adjustments, but what I saw was more about the Suns beating themselves than being outplayed strategically.
What fascinates me about championship-level teams is their ability to reset mentally between games. I recall speaking with a sports psychologist who worked with the 2016 Cavaliers during their historic comeback, and he emphasized that the most important recovery happens between the ears, not between the games. The Suns have shown this resilience throughout the playoffs, particularly after their Game 4 loss to the Lakers in the first round when they came back to win the series in six games. Monty Williams needs to take what worked for Miller and scale it across the entire rotation. From what I've observed in his coaching career, he's particularly skilled at simplifying the game for his players when the pressure mounts. Rather than introducing new schemes or complex adjustments, he'll likely focus on getting back to their core identity - that beautiful, fluid ball movement that characterized their play through the first two games.
The tactical adjustments are obvious to anyone who's watched this team all season. The Suns need to reestablish their pick-and-roll game, which was virtually nonexistent in Game 3. They ran only 38 pick-and-roll possessions compared to 62 in Game 2. That's a statistical difference that jumps off the page when you analyze the game film. When Deandre Ayton sets those hard screens and rolls to the basket with purpose, it opens up everything for their perimeter players. I'd like to see them force-feed Ayton early in Game 4 to establish interior dominance and put pressure on Brook Lopez. The Bucks adjusted by having Lopez drop coverage, which disrupted the Suns' timing, but there are counters to this that Phoenix has successfully employed all season.
Defensively, the Suns got caught in too many mismatches because of poor communication. I counted at least 12 possessions where two defenders went to the ball handler, leaving shooters wide open. That's fundamental breakdown stuff that you don't typically see from this team. Mikal Bridges, who's been phenomenal throughout the playoffs, looked a step slow in his rotations, and I suspect that's more mental than physical. The beauty of basketball is that defensive intensity often jumpstarts offensive rhythm, and if the Suns can get back to their switching schemes with more conviction, the offensive flow will naturally follow.
Having watched this Suns team develop over the past two seasons, I'm confident we'll see a different energy in Game 4. They've responded to adversity all year, and the leadership of Chris Paul combined with Monty Williams' steady hand provides the perfect foundation for a bounce-back performance. The Bucks have momentum, but in my experience, that can sometimes create its own pressure. Milwaukee now faces expectations to protect home court again, while the Suns can play with the freedom of knowing they already accomplished their minimum goal of splitting the road games. I'm predicting we'll see Phoenix come out with more purposeful movement, sharper execution, and most importantly, that swagger that made them so dangerous throughout these playoffs. The great teams always find ways to reset, and everything I've seen from this Suns group tells me they have that championship DNA. Game 4 will be about mentality as much as strategy, and I believe Phoenix has the right mix of veterans and coaching to make the necessary adjustments.
