Paul George scored 33 points while Kawhi Leonard added 30 to lead the Los Angeles Clippers past Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns by 131-122 on Wednesday night, as they extended their winning streak to four in a row and 13 of 15 wins overall. Booker led Phoenix Suns scoring with 35.
Paul George had 33 points
Los Angeles Clippers bounced back from an early deficit to defeat Phoenix Suns and take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference Finals series on Tuesday at Staples Center, as Paul George scored 33 points while Kawhi Leonard contributed 30. Devin Booker added 26 while Torrey Craig added 22 for Phoenix.
Russell Westbrook made an amazing final minute play to give the Clippers possession and seal their win, blocking a driving Booker shot before leaping up and slamming it out of bounds with only 10.1 seconds remaining to give his team possession and seal victory for them. Eric Gordon then scored two free throws with 7.9 remaining to seal it all.
The Clippers have won four straight and 13 of 15 games this season while the Suns saw their four-game win streak end. Both teams traded baskets in an exciting first half with Los Angeles holding onto an advantage at halftime (68-50).
Kawhi Leonard added 30
Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points and the Los Angeles Clippers managed to overcome Phoenix’s rally to take their second-round series opener in the Western Conference. They did it by starting with Leonard’s 3-pointer and ending it with his layup.
He went scoreless in the opening quarter but scored 13 in the second, helping Los Angeles overcome a 14-point deficit and take a 59-58 advantage at halftime. Later in the game he made free throws, assisted Paul George for a dunk and knocked down an open 3-point shot before helping Los Angeles pull away from Phoenix in the fourth quarter.
No doubt the Clippers have improved greatly with Kawhi Leonard back, yet it remains clear they must further enhance both defense and offensive flow if they hope to compete with teams like Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets or Ja Morant’s Grizzlies come playoff time.
James Harden had 22 points
On Wednesday night, the Clippers kept up their relentless assault against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center and managed to score an easy wire-to-wire win despite not hitting all their shots.
James Harden scored 22 points and handed out 11 assists, helping Los Angeles secure a win for the sixth time in seven games. Ten of those assists went directly to Joel Embiid – setting an NBA record for most assists by two teammates in one game.
Harden made eight out of 13 field goal attempts and finished with a plus-6 rating in 37 minutes, scoring seven consecutive points to help the Clippers overcome a lackluster first half. Harden, who was previously with Toronto Raptors, found himself starting his new chapter alongside new teammates — although not without its challenges; Suns got within striking distance until Norman Powell’s 3-pointer put the Clippers ahead by six with less than four minutes remaining.
Norman Powell had 13 points
The Clippers are finding their stride together. Even with two new starters joining them in this game, they’re finding chemistry quickly despite initial struggles to maintain a lead in the fourth. But thanks to a dominating stretch by their reserves they were able to regain it quickly.
Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell combined for 32 points as the Clippers bench outscored that of Phoenix 60-19 Tuesday at Staples Center. Paul George scored 31 and Kawhi Leonard added 30 as Los Angeles defeated Phoenix for its first win since 2014-15 season.
The Suns took an 18-point lead late in the second quarter, but Los Angeles rallied late to end it and take control. James Harden hit two free throws and Leonard drove with power for an easy layup before hitting his Step-Back 3-pointer to give LA control with 4:43 remaining; never trailed again after. Their victory extended their winning streak to four while ending Phoenix’s four game winning streak.
