On the plane ride back to Phoenix after the Suns lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals, Booker joined a card game with his teammates and discussed their upcoming game.
Paul has played in seven Game 7s but has lost three of them. In the last two years, he has split them, with a first-round loss in the Mavericks' first year in Dallas and a second-round win in the Celtics' first year in Boston.
Sunday will be Booker's first. It is an opportunity he enjoys.
Booker said after practice Saturday that he likes coming in with everyone locked in, top to bottom, from the front office, and can feel their demeanor. We thought we had something going there during the regular season, trying to break the franchise record, and this is a whole different beast.
The series has been vastly different depending on the location. The Suns have won their three home games by an average of 19 points. They have lost by an average of 15.3 points in their three road games at American Airlines Center.
The top seed in the playoffs and the right to play a deciding Game 7 in their home is what the Phoenix Suns received after setting a franchise record in wins.
Booker said that home-court advantage is a real saying in the league. I think it's the comfortability of playing 41 games here rather than two on the road and one in front of our fans. I am sure it will be rowdy in there. It is going to be exciting and it is going to be a lot of energy. I am looking forward to it.
Suns coach Monty Williams said his team used the Saturday practice as a clean up day. Taking care of the basketball and guarding the 3-point line are two points of emphasis. The Mavs averaged 16.3 made 3-pointers in the three losses, while the Suns averaged 18.7 turnovers.
Like Booker, Williams could not hide his anticipation.
Williams said the gym is thick with intensity from the time they knew they were going to be in a Game 7. That is how playoff basketball should be.
Between the Saturday practice and the Sunday game, the Suns will have to find a way to pass the time without letting the pressure of a potentially season-ending game get to them.
I am going to get my nails done. I need to be pampered a little bit. Get my feet done. Look into the game plan, the adjustments that we are making, and just make sure where my body needs to be. The boxes should be checked off. The last game was played in the second half. I will be ready to go from that point.
On the Suns' off day Friday, he streamed a comedy series called "Atlanta" and will choose the more serious drama "Ozark" on Saturday. Booker said he was going to be wired and would play the video game Call of Duty to relax.
He said that he might get in the pool on a hot day.
The Suns will be getting ready to play their most important game of the season.
Booker said that understanding your season is at stake adds a good pressure to it. Take it in and be ready to perform.
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