Kevin Durant still absent from Phoenix, the meeting begins on a false rhythm. The Clippers rely on the long shots of Paul George and Terance Mann to dominate the debates. The Suns are already on the ropes after just twelve minutes (20-35). In the second quarter, the entry of Bol Bol brought a little spark, especially as the Californians slowly started again.
But James Harden and Kawhi Leonard take care, at 3-points, to calm it all down. When they return to the locker room, Los Angeles still has control of the game (51-70). In the second half, Devin Booker's baskets allowed the Suns to still have a little hope (91-107). This is the case at the start of the fourth quarter when the Phoenix defense makes stops and the long shots fall in.
The gap goes back below ten points. The Clippers found solutions, again with Kawhi Leonard or Norman Powell, and logically won 122-131. It's totally deserved and it's their fourth victory in a row.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The control of the Clippers. For 36 minutes, the Los Angeles players controlled this meeting. Obviously, when the Suns come back to less than ten points, there could be turbulence. But this team is solid and serene, like Kawhi Leonard, always superb and better than against Miami again, with 30 points at 8/16 on the shoot. Like their leader, the Clippers do not tremble. They were never rushed and always played at their own pace.
– Bad evening for Bradley Beal. With 21 points on the clock, one might think that the match was not complicated for the former Wizards. So yes. Paul George did an excellent job taking care of him and the back multiplied the waste on the shoot (7/20 on the shoot including 0/6 at 3-pts) and in the game with 3 lost balls and 5 fouls. Very clean, Devin Booker would have needed the support of Beal to really annoy the Clippers, but the latter did not weigh on the meeting.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
