Between two title contenders, we expected a contested and stimulating match… But the Suns killed all suspense in the bud with an 11-0 from the start, well followed by Devin Booker (35 points) who managed to maintain this advantage throughout thereafter. Undefeated after two games, the Clippers logically bit the dust at home Sunday night (112-95). The victory snatched the day before against the Kings weighed.
Despite a nice alley oop for Paul George or Nicolas Batum who landed an unlikely basket from midfield at the buzzer at the end of the first quarter, Los Angeles chased after the score throughout the game, unable to slow down the machine that had come from Arizona. It must be said that with his rear traction across, Paul George (4/11) and Reggie Jackson (0/5), the Clippers had little chance of achieving a “comeback”, like last year when they had succeeded coming back four times from a 24-point deficit…
In the same way, coming off the bench, Kawhi Leonard did not work miracles, with only 11 points and 6 rebounds, 2/6 on shots… It’s very simple, the Clippers never managed to pass below the 10-point gap, with an attempt in the 3rd quarter, soon thwarted by Booker and Cam Payne.
On a night that saw Chris Paul join the podium of all-time leading passers at 11,000 or more, the Suns were firmly in control of the game with a well-spread mark. Eight Phoenix players finished between 7 and 13 points, including Deandre Ayton at 13 points and 8 rebounds.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Devin Booker, scorching hot. At 13/21 on shots including 5/9 from behind the arc, plus 4 assists to his credit, Devin Booker was the main artificer for the Suns who have never been behind on the scoreboard. Taking control of the entry game, Phoenix was able to count on its All-Star guard to power the score whenever the Clippers seemed able to pass on a highlight. At 30 points on average, plus 6 assists and 4 rebounds, D-Book is already in great shape at the start of the season!
— Chris Paul, the king of the pass. From the start of the match, CP3 got into action with the first caviar of the game for a 3-pointer from Booker, then another on the following action for the alley-oop from Ayton. The latter simply represents his 11,000th career assist, which allows him to join John Stockton and Jason Kidd above this very rarely achieved milestone. Paul still has a margin over Stockton (15,806) but he can hope to become second in history by catching up with Kidd (12,091). It will be next season at best.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Devin Booker. 28, 33, 35… Devin Booker is off to a flying start! The licensed scorer of the Suns managed a gala match last night with his address from afar, his favorite game at mid-distance but also several pranks to the circle. Booker has managed to vary his game perfectly, showing himself to be unstoppable for a still soft Californian defense.
✅ John Wall. The only good news of the evening for the Clippers. The veteran leader, and substitute, of Los Angeles has tried to remobilize his troops, hitherto in dispersed order. With 17 points and 4 assists in 21 minutes, Wall took every opportunity to go all the way to the circle. But he was very lonely.
⛔ Paul George. We could add his friend Reggie Jackson who remained hood on the match, but George did indeed have a bad evening for his first at home of the season. Blocked at 4/11 on shots, PG13 has certainly been productive in other areas of the game with 7 rebounds and 4 assists, but his -7 +/- attests to a performance within…
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (2-1) : double confrontation with the Thunder in Oklahoma City, Tuesday then Thursday.
Phoenix (2-1) : first of a series of six games at home, with the reception of Golden State on Tuesday.
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