MANILA – The Los Angeles Clippers kept their title hopes alive after beating the Phoenix Suns, 116-102, in their Game 5 match on Monday night at the Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, Arizona.
Paul George lifted the Clippers to their season-saving victory with his 41 points, including three outside hits, to go with 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Reggie Jackson drilled four triples and ended up with 23 markers, while Marcus Morris Sr. and Demarcus Cousins contributed 22 and 15, respectively, as the Clippers trimmed the best-of-seven series deficit to 2-3.
Playing minus star Kawhi Leonard and big men Serge Ibaka and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers showed a sense of urgency early on the game as they jumped to a 20-7 lead behind a fiery start from Morris.
The Suns rallied to come to within 21-25, but consecutive baskets from Jackson and Cousins stretched the Clippers’ lead to 36-26.
Phoenix played catch up anew in the second canto to scrape the deficit to 49-52. However, Los Angeles leaned on baskets by George, Morris, and Jackson to improve the gap to 59-52 at the half.
The Suns waxed hot early in the third quarter as they tasted the upperhand for the first time in Game 5 at 62-61 on consecutive hits from Jae Crowder and Chris Paul.
George spearheaded the Clippers’ uprising as he drained consecutive shots, while Patrick Beverley and Nicholas Batum chipped in timely hits as the advantage ballooned to 91-78.
Phoenix surged to 94-98 in the fourth period, before the Clippers got eight straight points from Jackson and an inside hit from George for a 106-96 lead.
The Clippers then took the fight away from the Suns for good with George connecting six straight points as the gap went up to 114-100 with over a minute left.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points, Paul added 22 points and eight assists, while Cameron Johnson and Deander Ayton contributed 14 and 10 markers, respectively.
BOX SCORE:
LOS ANGELES 116 – George 41, Jackson 23, Morris Sr 22, Cousins 15, Beverley 7, Mann 4, Batum 2, Ferrell 2, Kennard 0, Scrubb 0, Oturu 0.
PHOENIX 102 – Booker 31, Paul 22, Johnson 14, Ayton 10, Bridges 5, Payne 5, Craig 5, Nader 4, Crowder 4, Saric 2, Smith 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
36-26; 59-52; 91-78; 116-102./PN
