Devin Booker unimpressed by Chris Paul’s perfect game
Devin Booker “believes in the heat check”, which makes Chris Paul’s perfect 33-point shooting night just a bit less impressive.
The Phoenix Suns secured their spot in the second round of playoffs after a game 6 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Though this was the first game Devin Booker played in after suffering from a hamstring injury in game 2, it was Chris Paul who stood out.
Chris Paul had a perfect shooting night, scoring 33 points in the 115-109 victory over the Pelicans and hitting all 14 of his field goal attempts and all four of his free throws. Both Paul and Booker said they were unaware that Paul hadn’t missed a shot during the game.
“Maybe like at halftime, I realized, hey I might need to shoot a little bit more,” said Paul. “We were talking about taking heat checks the other day. And I don’t do that ‘cause I don’t shoot enough to take a heat check.”
In case you’re unaware, a heat check is when a player is “getting hot”, aka not missing any shots, and takes a risky shot just to see if they’re still hot.
Booker, on the other hand, has a different approach.
“I was not aware at all,” Booker said. “I believe in the heat check though. 14-15 looks a lot better than 14-14 to me. I’ll never have one of these games, these perfect ones.”
He has a point. If you believe in the heat check, your shots go unquestioned. But it does mean you are less likely to have a perfect game. This highlights the difference between Paul and Booker and the way they play, which works extremely well together. Paul’s careful and patient approach balances with Booker’s aggressive and risky approach. It’s gotten them this far, that is to say, no. 1 in the Western Conference and into round two of the playoffs.
The Suns will take on the no. 4 Dallas Mavericks in game one of the second round on Monday, May 2 in Phoenix.