As often this season, the Clippers are attractive collectively. In addition to communicating well in defense, they circulate the ball and find, as a result, several open shots. Their 3-point address launches them ideally, while Paul George and Nicolas Batum, accomplices, make a solid start (16-7).
In the tough offensively, the Suns rely on Deandre Ayton to score near the circle. The meeting then gets carried away with the entry of the substitutes and the rhythm accelerates. If Phoenix finds its account, Los Angeles is not left out either and continues to race in the lead (25-18).
Author of a big first quarter, with 14 points on the clock, Paul George finally allows his people to take a lead of more than ten units, at the end of these first twelve minutes (37-24) .
Paul George Burning
Always as hot, “PG13” continues its festival in the second act. The winger is omnipresent on both sides of the floor and, in the wake of their All-Star which already peaks at 22 points (!), the Clippers soar to the score with a successful 18-2 in four minutes (55-26 ).
Overwhelmed, the Suns rely on the aggressiveness of Devin Booker to close the gap (60-38). Paul George on the bench, Los Angeles then thwarts completely, like a Kawhi Leonard next to the plate in attack. Phoenix gradually regains confidence and finds itself trailing “only” by 20 points at the break (64-44).
Upon returning from the locker room, the match is balanced for good. If the gap stabilizes, Paul George does not forget to resume his show. As soon as the Clippers need to score, they spin the ball to him and admire the spectacle. To make matters worse, while “PG13” doesn’t seem to be able to miss anything tonight, Kawhi Leonard finally wakes up, with a few baskets scored consecutively (75-60).
But, opposite, the Suns are no longer the same as before. Fighting, they hold on and are still catching up on their delay. To achieve this, they can count on all the efforts of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, who will seek their points on free throws, with experience. And, twelve minutes from the end, they are squarely ironed below the bar of 10 units of difference (88-81).
The Clippers tremble but resist
Confused since the exit of Paul George, the Clippers see their opponents return to a small possession at the start of the fourth quarter (90-89). But Serge Ibaka, hitherto hampered by faults, then “PG13”, again and again, push their hosts back each time, in this part which becomes more and more electric (98-94). As “money time” approaches, the game is choppy and easy baskets are becoming increasingly rare.
While Phoenix is now struggling to convert its opportunities in attack, Los Angeles relies mainly on Paul George to make the difference. And, this, with some success (107-98). But the Suns definitely never give up and, 1 minute 30 from the end, there they are again with a possession thanks to Deandre Ayton (107-104).
Surprisingly, it’s clumsy Kawhi Leonard who will take the California shots from there. Without success since he will miss his two attempts at mid-distance, proof of his evening without. Luckily for the Clippers, Chris Paul and Devin Booker won’t fare any better on the other side. With 12 seconds on the clock, it is finally Nicolas Batum who will definitely finish Phoenix, 3-points, on a shift from the inevitable Paul George.
Upon arrival, Los Angeles wins not without difficulty at the leader of the Western Conference (112-107).
Author of 39 points, 15/24 on shots and 7/10 from 3-pointers, “PG13” was flawless tonight. Impossible to say the same of Kawhi Leonard (15 points) and his ugly 4/21 on shots.
To make up for The Claw’s game without, Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard proved invaluable, amassing 28 points between them. Opposite, Devin Booker (25 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists) and Deandre Ayton (24 points, 8 rebounds) tried everything, but the Suns’ ignition delay was fatal to them.
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