Down 2-0, the NBA Playoff odds are stacked against the Phoenix Suns

History is not in favor of the Phoenix Suns

According to Land of Basketball, out of 446 teams to have fallen to an 0-2 deficit in a series, only 33 have managed to come back and advance in the playoffs. That means the Phoenix Suns are hoping to add to a statistic that currently has them at a 7.4 percent chance to win their second-round bout.

Furthermore, of the 14 teams that have blown a 2-0 series lead since 2008, five of them have featured Chris Paul: the 2008 New Orleans Hornets who fell to the San Antonio Spurs, the LA Clippers in both 2013 against the Memphis Grizzlies and 2016 against the Portland Trail Blazers, and, of course, the Phoenix Suns in 2021 who blew their lead to lose the Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks and again in 2022 when they had a meltdown against the Dallas Mavericks including one of the most lopsided Game 7s in NBA history.

Fifteen percent of all 0-2 comebacks have been against CP3. Since 2008, that number rises to 36 percent. Perhaps the best strategy for the Suns would be to somehow send Paul to the Denver Nuggets.

The NBA betting odds have also reflected the seemingly insurmountable climb that the Suns have forced upon themselves, as WynnBet now has Phoenix at a +295 to win the series. That number is certainly appealing, as 3-1 odds on the side of Kevin Durant can never really be considered a bad bet, but the Suns have their work cut out for them if they’re to advance to the Western Conference Finals or even extend this series like many fans were hoping.