Kings vs. Suns in the Western Conference Finals: 2–2
The first game of the Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Suns started early.
It tipped off at 1:30 p.m.
Everyone favored the Kings in this game.
The Kings had swept their opponents in both of the previous two rounds.
The Suns, meanwhile, had gone 4–2 in the first round and even had to fight through a Game 7 in the second.
They simply hadn't been as dominant as the Kings.
The Kings had finished their last game nine full days ago.
The Suns had only had one day of rest after their Game 7.
The Kings were rested and ready, so of course they'd have an easier time.
On top of that, this was a home game for the Kings, giving them home-court advantage.
With all those factors in their favor, naturally everyone expected the Kings to win.
But the game turned out nothing like anyone expected.
The Suns opened with a 10–0 run against the Kings.
Everyone thought Old Man Paul had been exhausted after the previous round's Game 7 and would be worn out once he took the court.
Yet in the first quarter, the Suns looked far more energetic, while the Kings seemed unprepared and sluggish.
By the end of the first quarter, the Kings were already down by 15.
The main reason was that the Kings had taken the Suns too lightly.
The Kings fought back in the second quarter, but with God of Point Guards Saint Paul running the show, they could only chip away at the deficit bit by bit.
It was nearly impossible for them to put together a run and erase the gap.
In the second half, Wang Yi was playing at his usual level, but the Suns' defensive strategy