Phoenix Suns: Three Keys to a Series Victory vs Denver Nuggets

What will the Phoenix Suns need to defeat the Denver Nuggets in round two of the NBA playoffs?

The Phoenix Suns are set to take on the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

What will it take for the Suns to win the series?

Feed Devin Booker

Devin Booker dominated in Phoenix’s first round series against the Los Angeles Clippers averaging 37.2 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds.

If the Nuggets utilize a similar defensive strategy to the Clippers doubling Kevin Durant, Suns coach Monty Williams will need to find creative ways to get the ball in Booker's hands. Durant’s arrival has given Booker more room to operate on the floor and he has clearly taken advantage of the newfound openings.

If Booker plays at the level he did in the first round, the Suns will have more than just a good shot to dethrone the one-seeded Nuggets.

Booker has been Phoenix’s best player statistically as of late and will have to continue to establish himself as such, especially with the attention Durant has been receiving.

Lock Down the Defending MVP

A large reason the Nuggets are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference is the play of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

In the Nuggets' first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jokic averaged 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. Jokic played about 37 minutes a night and that number should only go up leading into this second-round series vs. Phoenix.

"I don't think there's going to be too many times where Jokic is going to be off the court in this series," Chris Paul said via the Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin.

Deandre Ayton will have to play a big role  in limiting Jokic, as he will be the most important piece for the Suns to focus on this series.

It's also known that Jokic is not the most spectacular defensive center, so Ayton must capitalize on this and play with an aggressiveness that we did not see in round one. Ayton is averaging 16.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in the playoffs so far.

Get the Bench Going

In the first round, Phoenix’s biggest Achilles heel had to be the production from their second unit.

Through the five playoff games against the Clippers, only one player for the Suns off the bench scored double figures. That may slide against an injury-riddled Clippers team but not against the Nuggets who have dominated teams in the West all season.

In close games, the Suns will be forced to count on the second unit to step up especially if one or more of the starters happens to be in foul trouble.

Phoenix needs more from players such as Josh Okogie and Landry Shamet who have the potential to provide a positive offensive spark but are yet to show that in the playoffs.