Phoenix Suns playing faster with Cameron Payne in lineup as Chris Paul (groin) out Game 5

DENVER — Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul will miss his third straight game Tuesday with a left groin strain suffered in Game 2 in Denver.

Fourth-seeded Phoenix is 2-0 without him in this West semifinals series after dropping Games 1 and 2 with Paul, who went down in the third quarter of Game 2's loss.

The Suns evened the series at 2-2 with a 129-124 Game 4 win Sunday at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Game 5 is Tuesday at Ball Arena in Denver.

Paul was getting up shots after Monday's practice at Ball Arena as he has practiced the last two times the Suns have done so. He didn't practice last Wednesday or Thursday.

"I haven't talked to the medical guys one time," Suns coach Monty Williams said after Monday's practice. "I get the reports. So I haven't talked to them about it. He's just getting his shots up more than likely just seeing where he is, but I haven't gotten one official report on Chris. So nothing's changed."

The Suns listed him as "day to day" last week as sources informed The Republic last Tuesday that Paul would be out at least a week.

Game 6 is set for Thursday in Phoenix. If there is a Game 7, it'll be Mother's Day in Denver.

Cameron Payne started Games 3 and 4 for the 38-year-old Paul, who has had a history of postseason injuries in his Hall of Fame career. The Suns have played at a faster pace with Payne in the lineup.

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In Game 1 and Game 2 in Denver's high altitude, their pace was at 95.25 and they registered 190 possessions. The Suns averaged just 97 points and had an offensive rating of 102.1

In Game 3 and Game 4, their pace rose to 98.28 and they generated 196 possessions. The Suns have led NBA playoff teams in points per game at 125 and in offensive rating at 127.6 since Friday's Game 3 in Phoenix.

"I feel like it's picked up a lot, but even when I'm off the court now, it's like, sometimes when you see something, you kind of replicate it," Payne said after Monday's practice. "I feel like it's been very beneficial for us. Working them in transition instead of coming down and trying to play half-court offense all the time."

The Suns totaled 34 fastbreak points in Games 1 and 2. In Games 3 and 4, they cranked out 43.

"I think we're a lot better when we're moving in transition and running fast," Payne added.

A student of the game, Paul is constantly talking to teammates throughout games, giving instruction and advice, whether he's playing or not. He's been doing the same with Payne while sidelined.

"It's crazy, he's been like, 'Run your team, take control, take control while you're out there,'" Payne said. "'Sometimes you get it and get the guys into something.' Those have been the biggest nuggets so far where he's been saying control your team. I've been feeling that because I know some of the things I can do out there on the court can help us, even off the ball. Control your team is big-time."

Looking ahead: What must Suns do to win Game 5 vs. Nuggets? Here's what The Republic's writers say

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns playing faster with Cameron Payne, Chris Paul (groin) out Game 5