2021 NBA Finals: 5 adjustments Phoenix Suns need to make to bounce back against Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5

#3 Let the Milwaukee Bucks keep Brook Lopez on the floor

Brook Lopez #11 attempts a shot over Cameron Johnson #23 and Frank Kaminsky #8.

Game 1 was an easy win for the Phoenix Suns despite Brook Lopez having an outstanding game offensively with 17 points and six boards. But the Milwaukee Bucks lost because Lopez was a liability on defense. They failed to adjust until the fourth quarter and by then it was too late.

Simple stuff from the Suns getting the switch on Brook Lopez for Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Timeout by the Bucks after the Booker make. Let's see if Mike Budenholzer switches up the pick-and-roll defense. pic.twitter.com/qaswtF2pfx

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 7, 2021

The Milwaukee Bucks are more dangerous against them when Lopez sits and goes small with Giannis Antetokounmpo playing center. If they can lull the Bucks into thinking they can stay big and be successful, then the Phoenix Suns can definitely exploit Lopez on defense.

Perhaps they should avoid abusing Lopez in pick and rolls too much. That way, they can press their advantage and at least keep coach Mike Budenholzer from recognizing immediately that he needs to take Lopez off the floor.

It will be a tricky line to toe for the Bucks but this minute adjustment can determine the fate of the game.

#4 Help Chris Paul

Jrue Holiday #21 defends against Chris Paul #3.

Whether he’s hurting or not, Chris Paul was so unlike himself in Game 4 that the Phoenix Suns would’ve been better off sitting him down. He was a -10 plus/minus on Wednesday, suggesting that they would have won against the Milwaukee Bucks with Cameron Payne (0 plus/minus) on the floor rather than with Paul, especially in the last five minutes.

Chris Paul has 15 turnovers in his last 3 games. pic.twitter.com/XJeyNGQnkv

— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 15, 2021

Paul held onto his injured wrist during the game and came out in the second half with a compression sleeve on his leg. The wear and tear of the long postseason may be getting to him and it’s time to free him from some of his responsibilities against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Aside from Payne possibly playing more minutes and taking on some of the playmaking chores, Devin Booker can handle being a floor general as well. Remember, the Phoenix Suns played him as their point guard not too long before Paul arrived.

Doing so could unburden Paul and mix up his tasks. The Suns can utilize him as a scorer one second and a facilitator the next.

#5 More ball movement by Phoenix Suns

Cameron Payne #15 walking back.

This is another factor that will help with the previous point. There’s a reason why the Phoenix Suns won the first two games of the Western Conference Finals against the LA Clippers without Chris Paul. The Suns sometimes become too predictable and mechanical on offense with Paul pulling the strings. They’re sometimes slower, too, with him around.

Get the ball out of Paul’s hands and let more people touch it, swinging the ball from side to side for the best possible shot. Not every play has to be executed by the guards. The Phoenix Suns were successful in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks because of this and they need to get back to that type of offense.

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