MANILA – The Phoenix Suns are one win away from the NBA Finals after a Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, 84-80, on Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Devin Booker posted 25 points, while DeAndre Ayton got a double-double of 19 points and 22 rebounds for the Suns. Mikal Bridges hauled 12 rebounds to go with his six points.
Chris Paul tallied 18 points, seven assists, and four rebounds as the Suns moved closer to their first-ever NBA Finals stint after taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Suns ruled the first half as they led by as much as 16 points and were ahead by 13 in the third period before the Clippers recorded 66-69.
Phoenix widened the gap to 71-66 early in the fourth period on a basket by Booker. However, the Clippers got four straight points from Paul George to trim the deficit to 70-71 with 10:07 remaining.
Ayton’s dunk at the 6:23 mark earned Suns a 73-70 advantage. It quickly turned to 72-73 on two free throws by the Clippers’ Reggie Jackson.
After seeing the 16 point advantage trimmed to 73-72 in the fourth canto, Paul and Booker scored six consecutive points to stretch the Suns’ lead to 79-74 with over two minutes left.
The Clippers answered with back-to-back hits from Terance Mann and George to come to within 78-79 with 13 seconds left. Paul’s two free throws increased the Suns’ lead to 81-78.
Two free throw attempts from George failed while Demarcus Cousins managed only a split free throw for the Clippers to scrape the deficit to 79-81. However, the Suns rallied behind Paul for an 82-79 edge. Two more free throws from Paul sealed the victory for the Suns.
George posted 23 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists, while Jackson added 20 markers for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac had a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds.
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 84 – Booker 25, Ayton 19, Paul 18, Bridges 6, Payne 5, Johnson 5, Crowder 3, Saric 3, Nader 0, Craig 0.
LOS ANGELES 80 – George 23, Jackson 20, Zubac 13, Mann 12, Morris 4, Batum 3, Beverley 2, Kennard 2, Cousins 1.
QUARTERSCORES:
29-20, 50-36, 69-66, 84-80./PN
