Los Angeles Lakers: 3 keys to evening up the series vs. Phoenix Suns

Key #1: Use Chris Paul’s injury to slow down Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton

The Los Angeles Lakers defense rarely helped off a hobbled Chris Paul (who literally had to change his jump shot on the fly) to stop Devin Booker.

I was shocked. Paul is clearly injured. He brought the ball up the court with his left hand every single time because he can barely dribble or shoot with his right hand. He even turned it over every time he tried to go right.

Again, the Lakers defenders should force Paul to his injured right hand every time he is bringing the ball up the court.

If he adapts to this defense and brings the ball up the left sideline, then the Lakers can aggressively deny Booker the ball and force Paul to beat his man off the dribble via either his weakest or injured hand.

At some point, the Suns will adjust.

Booker will take over at point guard because Paul can only dribble with one hand. Paul will be used as a screener as he was towards the end of Game 1.

Instead of giving Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder open three-pointers, the Lakers need to force an injured Chris Paul to knock down jump shots.

The Lakers also used the exact same strategy in the bubble when they faced the Houston Rockets, double-teaming James Harden to force Russell Westbrook into jump shots.

The Lakers won in 5 games. Westbrook was traded the following offseason.

Forcing Paul to shoot is a cynical and ruthless strategy. Paul was also cynical and ruthless when he undercut LeBron James going up for a rebound.

If the Suns play Chris Paul, then he is fair game.