AP Portray/Marcio Jose Sanchez
The Los Angeles Clippers ended the Phoenix Suns’ seven-sport plot shut wander with a 113-103 dwelling victory on Thursday at Staples Heart.
Paul George scored 11 of his sport-excessive 33 points within the fourth quarter and made 7-of-9 three-pointers along the model. His efforts helped turn a 83-81 Clippers lead after three quarters staunch into a 10-point plot shut.
Kawhi Leonard scored 19 of his 27 points within the 2d half of to data the 35-18 Clippers, who contain obtained three straight and now sit third within the Western Convention.
Devin Booker’s 24 points paced the Suns, who went correct 6-of-24 from three-point fluctuate. Mikal Bridges added 20 points, and Deandre Ayton contributed an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The 36-15 Suns now sit 2.5 video games on the wait on of the Utah Jazz for first within the West.
Principal Performances
Clippers F Paul George: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
Clippers F Kawhi Leonard: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Clippers G Rajon Rondo: 15 points, 9 assists
Clippers F Marcus Morris: 8 points, 6 rebounds
Suns SG Devin Booker: 24 points
Suns F Mikal Bridges: 20 points, 5 rebounds
Suns C Deandre Ayton: 18 points, 10 rebounds
Suns PG Chris Paul: 13 points, 7 rebounds
Clippers Lag Pudgy Circle in Use
George carried the Clips within the predominant half of, and Leonard took care of enterprise within the third quarter.
The 2d unit’s scorching fourth-quarter start gave the Clips a 10-point lead, and George then took over as soon as again to lead L.A. to victory.
It was as soon as all PG-13 within the predominant two quarters, as he done with one-third of the Clippers’ 54 first-half of points.
George scored his 18th point with 5: 32 final within the 2d quarter after nailing a 3-pointer to build L.A. up 45-39. He dominated from beyond the arc, notably getting hot from the correct corner:
On the flip facet, it was as soon as no longer a staunch first half of for Leonard, who chanced on himself with more turnovers (three) than points (two) late within the 2d quarter. He did nail a pair of threes to present his first half of, including this one to dwell the physique:
It was as soon as all Leonard within the third quarter, despite the fact that, as he scored 14 points, 12 of which came within a 4: 38 span. He moreover build Ayton on a poster one day of that time physique:
Leonard’s work allowed L.A. to flow up two going into the fourth quarter.
From there, George and the Clippers’ 2d unit helped build the game away, opening the final 12 minutes on a 10-2 bustle.
Recent Clipper point guard Rajon Rondo hit a 3, and Patrick Patterson did as effectively. George added a pair of steals, and L.A. was as soon as on its manner to a plot shut.
However the Suns were given existence after Clippers guard Patrick Beverley was as soon as assessed a flagrant grisly on Paul and was as soon as ejected from the game.
Paul hit his flagrant free throws after which nailed a two-pointer on the ensuing possession to plot the rating 93-89 in L.A.’s favor.
Nonetheless, it was as soon as George who took over down the stretch, as he scored eight points in a 10-0 bustle to salt the game away.
Nothing Goes Factual for Phoenix in Heart-broken 4th Quarter
The Suns had only one topic scheme thru the predominant five minutes of the fourth quarter and three unless the final minute, which served as rubbish time.
Phoenix moreover dedicated four turnovers and scored correct eight points within the predominant eight minutes.
The opposite dwell was as soon as disastrous, because the Clippers had no solutions for George, Leonard or a Rondo-led 2d unit that excelled down the stretch. L.A. merely played enormous team of workers basketball, perchance most attention-grabbing exemplified by the ball motion that ended in this Leonard bucket:
George getting hot did no longer relieve issues, both. He was as soon as untouchable as soon as in a while, admire when he drained a 3-pointer with the 6’11” Ayton in his face:
It be an unideal efficiency for the Suns, who entered Thursday as winners of seven straight, especially in opposition to a Clippers team of workers that it could perhaps per chance face within the playoffs.
The Suns moreover misplaced a sport within the standings to the predominant-deliver Jazz, who beat the Portland Crawl Blazers on Thursday.
Nonetheless, 12 unfortunate minutes undoubtedly originate no longer signify that the sky is falling. Phoenix is having an exemplary season and might perhaps perhaps contain to restful very effectively win hot and start a fresh winning wander when it takes the court docket again.
What’s Next?
L.A. will cease dwelling to face the Houston Rockets on Friday at 10 p.m. ET. The Suns will return dwelling to host the Washington Wizards on Saturday at 10 p.m. in Phoenix Suns Arena.
