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The LA Clippers blasted the Phoenix Suns 106-92 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center. Paul George led the way with 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Los Angeles in their first conference finals game at home in franchise history.
George got ample support from his teammates, especially Reggie Jackson, who made clutch baskets in the fourth quarter when the Phoenix Suns threatened to make a comeback. The LA Clippers outhustled the Suns during the second half, including an excellent performance in the pivotal third quarter when they outscored the visitors 34-21.
Chris Paul returned to the Phoenix Suns lineup but his presence was hardly felt. The veteran guard shot poorly (5-of-19) from the field but still finished with 15 points and 12 assists.
Let’s look at 5 reasons why the LA Clippers won against the Phoenix Suns:
#1 Paul George’s all-around brilliance for LA Clippers
After missing two clutch free throws that could have won Game 2, George responded with one of his best all-around games of the postseason. He nearly had a triple-double and was quietly making the right reads and the right plays on both ends of the court. All 15 of his rebounds were at the defensive end, too.
Though he shot horribly from the field (9-of-26), the LA Clippers swingman sank a buzzer-beating three off the glass to end the third quarter. The move extended the Clippers' lead to 11 points just when the Suns threatened to cut their sizeable lead in the quarter.
#2 Patrick Beverley shut down Devin Booker again
For the second straight game, Patrick Beverley guarded Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns star struggled from the field again (5-of-21). From straight up man-to-man defense to deflections and outright steals, Beverley was all over Booker’s grill and frustrated the two-time All-Star throughout the night.
3 Reggie Jackson was clutch vs Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns made one last rally in the fourth quarter, rattling off 12 straight points which the LA Clippers had no answer to. But a 5-0 run by the Clippers, all by Reggie Jackson on a fastbreak layup and a 3-pointer, stopped the Suns from completing their comeback.
The 31-year-old LA Clippers guard scored 10 points in the final period, most of them coming in the final six and a half minutes.
#4 Ivica Zubac outplayed Deandre Ayton
Ivica Zubac was dominated by Deandre Ayton during the first two games. The LA Clippers star also allowed the Phoenix Suns big man to get the game-winning alley-oop in Game 2. But Zubac came up big in Game 3 to help his side secure a victory.
The LA Clippers center was more active on offense and defense this time around. He consistently cleaned the glass and converted on a couple of attempts at the rim despite Ayton’s presence. Zubac finished with 15 points, including nine at the line, 16 rebounds and two blocks.
#5 Tyronn Lue’s adjustments
Tyronn Lue mixed things up again with a third lineup change in as many games. The LA Clippers coach went to a small lineup to start the game with only Zubac as the true big man, similar to the Phoenix Suns who play Jae Crowder at the 4-spot.
Jackson and Beverley were the guards while Terance Mann and Paul George were Lue's forwards. This allowed the LA Clippers to run more and make more plays with four players who could create shots and they led 29-21 after one quarter.
In the fourth, he had Mann, Paul George, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris Sr. and Luke Kennard on the court. They would drive down the lane and kick out on offense before finding a seam that they could exploit in the Phoenix Suns defense. The result was a double-digit win for the Clippers and their first in the conference finals.
This LA Clippers win was as much about Lue’s adjustments as much as it was about his players doing their jobs.
Guess the Lakers players!
