Dominant Clippers, Fading Suns
In a game where both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden were absent, the Los Angeles Clippers managed to secure a convincing victory over the Phoenix Suns, leading by as much as 33 points in the first half and ultimately winning 105-92. This defeat further dims the Suns’ chances of securing a playoff berth.
Suns’ Struggle at Home
The Suns, currently vying for a playoff spot, had the opportunity to catch up to the sixth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans. However, their performance at home against the Clippers today was lackluster, with the team scoring only 10 points in the first quarter. In contrast, despite missing their two star players, the Clippers showcased a balanced offense, scoring 37 points in the opening quarter, with Russell Westbrook stepping up in the absence of Harden and Leonard, contributing 12 assists in the first half alone to help the Clippers establish a 33-point lead.
Suns’ Failed Comeback
Although the Suns mounted a comeback in the third quarter, scoring 35 points, they were unable to overcome the deficit, falling short by 13 points. Despite today’s loss, the Suns remain just one game behind the Pelicans, who won their game today. While the Suns hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, they need to win at least three of their remaining four games to catch up.
Westbrook’s Triple-Double Performance
Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with an impressive triple-double performance, scoring 16 points, dishing out 15 assists, and grabbing 15 rebounds. This marked his first triple-double in a Clippers uniform and the 199th of his career. Paul George also contributed with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Durant Leads Suns
Kevin Durant led the Suns in scoring with 21 points, while Devin Booker struggled with just 1 made field goal out of 11 attempts. However, Booker managed to contribute 12 points by converting 10 of his 11 free throws.
Conclusion
The Clippers’ dominant performance against the Suns underscores their resilience in the absence of key players. On the other hand, the Suns’ playoff hopes are fading as they face an uphill battle to secure a postseason berth in the remaining games. (Jilikoa)
