Clippers 96 vs 103 Suns: summary, stats and highlights | NBA 15th February
The Suns continue to roll as the All-Star break nears. They beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday to rattle off their sixth straight win and 10th of of their last 11. Chris Paul led the Suns in the fourth quarter to seal the 103-96 win in Phoenix.
Suns streaking into break
The banged up Clippers came into the Tuesday’s game on the heels of one of the wins of their season. They beat the Golden State Warriors on Monday, and had a quick turnaround less than 24 hours after.
Los Angeles jumped out to a hot start courtesy of Ivica Zubac underneath the basket. The big man almost had a double double by the end of the first quarter, but the Suns took the lead at the half on the shoulders of Devin Booker, and Javale McGee who started the second 12 minutes off with six of his eight points.
There was a moment in the middle of the third that the Clippers looked like Monday’s game was catching up to them when the Suns went on a big run before the quarter change. The 17-6 run was short lived, because Luke Kennard hit a couple quick threes after the break and cutting the 81-72 lead to 83-82 in less than three minutes.
CP3 takes over in the fourth
Tyrone Lue’s side managed to pull even with six minutes remaining, but Chris Paul took the game over making sure the Suns stayed a perfect 36-0 when going into the fourth quarter with a lead this season.
Paul hit a big three ball from the top of the key, and then had back-to-back alley oop lobs to stretch the lead out to seven in the final minutes.
Paul ended the game with 17 points and 14 assists, while Booker led the Suns in scoring with 26 on the night.
Both teams have one more game until they hit the All-Star Break.
The cherry on top from Booker who ended this game with an exclamation.
The 4th quarter is CP3 time.
Book bangs the open three home
Bridges had a couple easy dunks off turnovers in the midst of a Suns run.
Paul picking his spot
CP3 to Atyon is almost unstoppable
Booker sent Mann to the ground and dropped the bucket
Booker with the fancy pass to finish the fast break
IT'S ALL OVER!! SUNS WIN!
Chirs Paul took over in that 4th quarter to finish off his 17 point, 14 assist night. They are now 36-0 this season when entering the fourth quarter with a lead.
The Suns were on a 14-5 run in the last few minutes.
Bridges from the corner, and he puts the nail in the coffin with the long range effort! And who found him in the corner? Chris Paul of course. Suns lead 102-95
Morris has been the man all night long for the Clips, and he hits a huge three to keep the Clips in the mix. Suns lead 97-95 with 2:30 to go.
Two alley oops hand crafted by Chris Paul, and CP3 is taking this game over.
Kennard putting it on the ground and finds Jackson with a beautiful dime out of the timeout. 93-92 Suns lead
Paul with a clutch three to give the Suns the lead back 93-90. It came off a long offensive rebound following the Johnson miss and CP3 made no mistake. Timeout Clips, and this one looks like it's going down to the wire.
That famous Clippers defense is stepping up at the right time, and it Jackson gives LA the lead 90-88
Hartenstien goes down hard, and willl need a minute to shake off that heavy collision with the hardwood. He's at the line with a chance to tie the game.
Who do the Suns go to when they need a bucket? CP3 with that step back floater.
14-2 run for LA after the Zubac floater. 83-82
Kennard drains a couple straight three pointers to bring the Clips to within three. Timeout Suns leading 83-80
The Clippers are battling back, They trail by 6 after a quick start to the quarter. They came back from 35 down early in the sesaon so they are no strangers to late game heroics
How about that stat, the Suns are 35-0 when starting the fourth with a lead.
We are going to the fourth quarter, and PHO went on a 17-6 run to end that third quarter and stretch the lead going into the final 12 minutes.
We talked about the Clippers ability to hang on after last night's win. The end of the third quarter is when you see those legs start to get tired, and that's exaclty what's happening. On top of that the Suns can't miss right now. Suns lead 81-68
Bridges going back to work and he's got 12 this quarter.
Booker drains the three and the Suns are taking advantage of the tought looks the Clippers are settling for. PHO leads 74-66
7-0 run for the Suns since before the timeout.
Bridges in take over mode, out of the timeout he goes hard to the rack and gets the lay up and the foul. FT is good and he's got nine points this quarter.
Paul with the midrange pull up and that will provoke a timeout on the Clippers bench with the score tied at 66.
Jackson with another nearly impossible shot from the corner. Nothing has come easy for Jackson tonight, but he's got a coulple of highlight reels jumpers
Bridges against and he's got six straight points.
A couple of steals lead to two dunks for Bridges. If you aren't winning the rebounding battle, turnouvers will have to work to get extra possessions and that's what the Suns are doing.
Phoenix got themselves in trouble in the first quarter by allowing a lot of offensive rebounds, and they have been doing the same in the thrid.
An 11-4 run to start the third quarter has the Clippers back on top and the Suns need a time out down 58-57
We are back in action from Footprint Center. Let's see how the Clips can hang with the Suns after a tough game last night.
Paul to Ayton for one a a handful of hookups in the second quarter.
McGee got going in the second quarter
Booker dropping bodies and buckets
Zubac almost had a double double in the first quarter.
The Suns TO's turned into points on the other end
Booker has 13 to lead the Suns at the end of the second quarter. McGee and Ayton came to life in the late parts of the half, both have 8 points.
Batum started hot for the Clippers, and ended the half with 13 points. Morris took over in the second quarter after taking a shot to the nose. He leads LA in scoring at the half with 14.
Jackson with a cheeky move to the iron and gets it to drop for the final bucket of the second quarter. Suns lead 53-47 heading into the break.
How smart is Paul? Using that swipe move to earn easy points from the line. He will punish a defender everytime he sees that.
Morris can't be stopped! From a nearly impossible angle he drops it from the corner and he's got double digits in the quarter.
Jackson gets his first bucket on a tough fading, high arching shot over Ayton. He's got to come ailve the rest of the game if the Clips are going to have a chance.
Paul and Ayton going on a two man run, and the lead stretches to seven. Timeout Los Angeles down 47-40
The Suns are trying to stretch the lead out in the final minutes of the second quarter. Paul find Ayton down low and the Suns lead 45-40
Sloppy sequenece with a couple turnovers on each side of the court leads to an easy dunk for Batum.
Batum coming back to life with his third three of the game. He's got 11 on the night.
CP3 with that silky smooth elbow jumper gives the Suns their first lead of second quarter and the Clippers will take a time out down 37-35.
Morris is looking like he's feeling just fine. He's got nine in the quarter after taking a blow to the face earlier in the game. He's got all the points for LA in the second.
McGee is feeling it in this second quarter. Three quick buckets have the Suns level at 31-31
Morris is back on the floor after taking a blow tot he face in the first quarter. He drills the three and gives the Clips a five point lead.
McGee starts the second quarter with a couple quick buckets. Suns are with into after a slow start
Booker turns up the flair and catches fire to end the first quarter. He has 13 at the end of the opening 12 minutes.
Kennard drains his first three, and he'll be looking to get his looks before the Three Point Contest this weekend.
Zubac already has 7 points and 8 rebounds. Great start for the LA big man
Out of the timeout the Suns go to a zone, and force a shot clock violation. Nice job by Monty Williams out of the time out
Batun looks like he wants to be a protagonist tonight. He's already got 8 early points. and we are going to timeout with 3:44 to go in the first quarter. 21-16, Clippers leading
The Suns stepping up the defense and Booker with the behind the back pass in transition taking a page out of CP3's book.
Paul to Booker for his first assist of the game. He leads the league with 10.5 dimes a game. 13-9 Clippers
Zubac showing some springs down the lane. He gets the slam, posterizes Ayton and goes to the line and nails the 3 point play. 13-5 after a 9-0 run for the Clips
The Clips are using that top ten defense in the league to turn the Suns over and get some easy looks on the other end.
Booker drops his first jumper of the game and that is a good sign to see for the Suns fans at the Footprint Center.
Morris goes down after a bit of friendly fire .He took an elbow in the face from a teammate and will get some attention on the bench.
Let's see how the Clippers come out after getting a big win only 24 hours ago.
We are underway from the Footprint Center!!!
The Clips are rocking the powder blue jerseys tonight. Never bet against a team that goes with a change of waredrobe.
All eyes on Jackson
Reggie Jackson has been key for the Clipppers since Paul George went down with the elbow injury. He will have his hands full trying to keep up with Chris Paul all night. He almost had a triple double against the Warriors last night.
Odds for tonight
Phoenix comes into tonight's game as heavy favorites. According to Bet365.com LA are 12.5 point underdogs in the Footprint Arena and the Over/Under is set at 221.5
Suns starters
Here is tonight's starting five for the league's best team. Chris Paul will be running the show while Devin Booker takes the floor with his 25 ppg
LA getting locked in
Tip off today is at 10 p.m. ET, 7 on the West Coast
The Suns inactives for tonight
The Clips pulling up with some desert drip
CP3 has been nothing short of spectacular
Rough slate for LA
The Clips have played a tough schedule over the last few days and it only gets tougher tonight. They played on Sunday, and may suffer from some tired legs tonight. This is a typical let down game after a big win for a struggling team.
CP3 for MVP?
Thirty five year old Chris Paul is having another fantastic season, and has the Suns on pace to get the top seed in the Western Conference. His 10.7 assists lead the league, but beyond his stats is the command he has over this offense.
Book leading the leagues best team
Devin Booker leads the Suns in scoring with getting 25.6 ppg while is averaging 16.4 ppg and 8.9 assists. Deandre Ayton is following a breakout year with another rock solid year getting 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.
Stars still out for Clips
Kawahi Leonard is still on the recovery trail from his ACL injury and Paul George’s return is up in the air after injuring his shoulder in December. In their absence the the Clips have had to rely on Reggie Jackson and Marus Morris to carry the brunt of the scoring load.
Clippers show sign of life in LA
The Clippers are coming off maybe their best win of the season after taking down the the Golden State Warriors 119-104 in Los Angeles. LA scored 54 points in the paint and Terrance Mann had 25,7 and 6 to lead the Clips to the victory in the Crypto.com Arena.
Suns are streaking
The Suns have won their last five and nine of their last ten to remain top of the conference. Last time out they crushed the Orlando Magic 132-105 in one of their highest scoring games of the year. Devin Booker led Phoenix in scoring with 26 points while the Suns shot almost 50% from downtown.
Live from the Footprint Center
Hello everyone and welcome Phoenix for a rematch of last years Western Conference Finals. The Suns have the best record in the NBA while the Clippers are just trying to stay in the top eight of the conference without their top two stars
Clippers vs. Suns
The NBA’s best team hits the road for a west coast showdown from Los Angeles as the Clippers host the Phoenix Suns. AS English will be keeping you covered with live coverage, stats, and analysis from the Footprint Center.