Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul, the Big Three for the Phoenix Suns, were all in full attack mode.
Consequently, the tenacious and understaffed Los Angeles Clippers are dangerously close to packing their bags and heading out of town for the season.
On Saturday, the Warriors won 112-100 against the Clippers without Kawhi Leonard to establish a dominating 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series. Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Devin Booker added 30 more, and Chris Paul made a strong comeback in the fourth quarter of the game.
“When we’re all three being aggressive toward one another, it’s positive. Durant, who was traded to the Thunder from the Brooklyn Nets in February, said, “We all did a good job.” “We still have a long way to go in terms of maturing and getting to know one another.”
Even with Leonard sitting on the bench, the Clippers were able to put up another good run but ultimately fell short in Game 3. Because of an injured right knee, he has had to sit out the last two games in a row. Paul George, who had the same injury as Kawhi Leonard and hasn’t played since March 21, is also unavailable to them.
While referring to the Clippers, Durant predicted they would maintain their presence throughout the match. They never find themselves in a hopeless position.
On Tuesday, players will go to Phoenix for Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook remarked, “We make no excuses around here,” about the team’s attitude. “All we need to do is make sure that we stick together, keep competing, and leave everything on the court,” the captain said.
The fourth quarter was Westbrook’s breakout performance for the Clippers after joining the team in February. He scored 14 points, including nine consecutive points when they were twice within two points of winning the game.
Westbrook ended the game with the most points of any player, with 37. The bench contributions of Terance Mann and Norman Powell resulted in a combined total of 13 points.
The Clippers ran out of steam as the fourth quarter ended.
Paul, now 37 years old and has had many huge late-game moments, scored 12 points in the fourth by hitting important jumpers from all over the floor whenever Los Angeles threatened.
Paul, who finished the third game with 11 points on 5 of 18 shooting and remarked, “I was just thrilled a couple of them landed,”
Against the squad he had played for before, Paul ended the game with 19 points, eight makes out of seventeen shots, nine assists, and no turnovers. Booker pulled down nine boards and handed out seven assists. Deandre Ayton scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in this game.
At the age of 34, Kevin Durant scored 11 points in the third quarter to help the Suns overcome an early eight-point hole. The highlight of his scoring was a three-pointer, and he played the game’s most minutes (44). When the fourth quarter began, they had an 83-78 lead.
“We did a good job keeping our composure,” Durant stated after the game. “Right from the bat in the third, we were awful.”
When the Clippers scored the opening nine points of the third quarter, Suns coach Monty Williams called a timeout.
He said, “In most cases, you must mention three or four tasks you must perform.” “I don’t have to worry about doing that with these men. They have everything figured out before I even get there.”
After falling by 11 points early in the second quarter, the Suns could outscore the Clippers 25-17 and take a 48-47 lead into halftime.
“There was a constant exchange of blows,” recalled Durant of the conflict. “We threw punches, and they threw punches. Both of us threw punches.” We threw out the final one.
TIP-INS
Cam Payne of the Suns has not participated in a playoff game due to low back discomfort.
Clippers: With his performance against the Clippers, Westbrook became the sixth player in the history of the club to score at least 30 points in successive playoff games. In Game 3, he had 30 and lost the rebounding battle 49–33. The Bulls’ bench outscored the Suns’ bench by a score of 26 to 9.
