MANILA – Paul George bounced back from his botched endgame free throws in Game 2 to save the Los Angeles Clippers from slipping in a deeper hole during their Western Conference finals match against the Phoenix Suns.
The “Playoff P” scored 27 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists as the Clippers mauled the Suns, 106-92, in Game 3 on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
It’s a fitting bounce-back game for George after misfiring two free throws in their 104-103 Game 2 defeat to the Suns, which drew flak from fans and mocked him as “Pandemic P.”
With the victory, the Suns trimmed the series deficit to 1-2, with Ivica Zubac dropping a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Reggie Jackson and Terance Mann added 23 and 12 points, respectively.
The Clippers were left to fend for themselves with the return of star Kawhi Leonard, still uncertain with the team not giving a clear picture on his injury, and veteran Serge Ibaka already ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Facing a 0-2 deficit, they twice conquered against Dallas Mavericks in the first round and opposite Utah Jazz in the conference finals, LAC showed some sense of urgency to kick off Game 3.
The Clippers rose to a 29-21 advantage after the first 12 minutes with Zubac feasting on Suns’ interior defense, but Phoenix rallied in the second frame to seize a 48-46 lead.
The Clippers regained control early in the third canto, with Mann and Jackson conniving on offense to establish a 69-56 advantage. The Suns scraped the deficit to eight, but George made a half-court heave to stretch LAC’s advantage to 80-69.
Phoenix rallied to within 83-89 at the onset of the fourth quarter, but Los Angeles got baskets from Jackson and Patrick Beverley to snatch the fight away from the Suns as the lead swelled to 106-90.
DeAndre Ayton ended the match with 18 points and nine rebounds, Chris Paul posted 15 points and 12 assists, as Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Johnson got 15, 13, and 12 points, respectively, for the Suns.
BOX SCORE:
LA CLIPPERS 106 – George 27, Jackson 23, Zubac 15, Mann 12, Kennard 9, Beverley 8, Morris Sr 8, Batum 4, Rondo 0, Scrubb 0, Coffey 0, Oturu 0, Ferrell 0.
PHOENIX 92 – Ayton 18, Booker 15, Paul 15, Bridges 13, Johnson 12, Crowder 9, Craig 4, Saric 2, Payne 2, Moore 2, Carter 0, Smith 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
29-21; 46-48; 80-69; 106-92./PN
