3 Areas the Phoenix Suns must continue to excel if they are to reach the 2021 NBA Finals

#2 Defensive solidity

The Phoenix Suns have been one of the standout defensive teams in the playoffs

During the regular season, Monty Williams' Phoenix Suns side were one of the most menacing on defense in the league. They ranked 7th for fewest points conceded and fourth for fewest assists by their opponents.

Nevertheless, they have managed to take their defensive solidity to another level in the playoffs and currently boast the second-best rating in the postseason, conceding only 104.7 points per matchup.

Deandre Ayton is anchoring the Suns' defense in multiple ways! #NBACourtOptix powered by Microsoft Azure reveals how Phoenix's rim protector is also excelling at forcing turnovers. Tune in as PHX takes on LAL in Game 4 at 3:30 pm/et on ABC. pic.twitter.com/94yuYOtno4

— NBA (@NBA) May 30, 2021

Granted, both the Lakers and Nuggets were missing key players from their starting lineups, but the Suns have looked a different beast on defense. They have grabbed the second-most defensive boards of any side and rank inside the top five teams for steals.

All five of the Phoenix Suns' regular starters rank inside the top-13 starters in the playoffs for defensive rating, coming in under 104.3. Jae Crowder has been particularly impressive, especially while guarding LeBron James in their first-round series.

Potential opponents, the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz, both currently score more points per game in the postseason than the Suns and shoot the ball better from downtown. Therefore, Phoenix are going to have to continue to lock-up defensively if they are to progress to the NBA Finals.

#1 Continued trust

Phoenix Suns veteran leader Chris Paul

One thing that has become abundantly clear about this Phoenix Suns side, as was evident with the Miami Heat's last year in the bubble, is that everybody trusts one another. Williams has a deep roster to choose from, with nine players so far averaging over 11 minutes per game. Of these nine, six are currently averaging over ten points - all of whom are shooting at over 41% from the field.

They have the assets to make the NBA Finals and have two bonafide scorers in Paul and Booker to go to if they need buckets. As a team, they have ranked third so far for assists of any side in the playoffs, with the Philadelphia 76ers the only remaining one still competing. Their total is three more than the LA Clippers and over five more than the Utah Jazz per game so far.

If they are going to reach the Finals and compete for a ring, they will have to continue to trust one another on the court. Especially if they make it to that stage and have to face one of the Eastern Conference's big three sides.