While the Clippers defended well on Devin Booker (20 points to 5/16 shooting, 7 lost balls), it was Deandre Ayton (24 points, 14 rebounds) and Cameron Payne (29 points, 9 assists) who made the difference for the Suns. Los Angeles side, it is their collective that allowed them to stay in the game before Reggie Jackson (19 points), Patrick Beverley and Luke Kennard allow them to be at an alley-oop to win the game. The Clippers can bite their fingers!
Cameron Payne and Deandre Ayton start strong
After a complicated Game 1 defensively for the Clippers, Ty Lue started with Ivica Zubac and Patrick Beverley in place of Nicolas Batum and Terance Mann and returned to a more classic defensive pattern with his pivot remaining low on pick & roll. The Clippers then start with an 8-2 but the Phoenix defense raises the tone. In the wake of Cameron Payne, the Suns respond with a 9-0 (11-8).
Despite two faults from Jae Crowder and Devin Booker, and a clumsiness from afar, the Suns continue to lead the race with 12 points from a dominant Deandre Ayton. The Clippers also lack success but the 12 points of the duo Reggie Jackson – Paul George keep them in ambush (25-22).
The second knives of Los Angeles do not let go
If the Clippers try, as in Game 1, to force-feed DeMarcus Cousins with the ball against Dario Saric, the Croatian struggles this time much more and the Clippers’ attack is trampling. Tyronn Lue then opts for his “small ball” for the first time in the game and the Suns try to make a first break, thanks to the Croatian’s seven points, but three award-winning shots from Rajon Rondo and Terance Mann keep Los Angeles at – 4 (38-34).
Whenever Phoenix looks set to take off thanks to Cameron Payne’s skill and aggressive defense, the Clippers find a way to pick up the slack. Reggie Jackson responds to his sidekick in this duel of the former liners of Russell Westbrook at OKC, then Patrick Beverley hits the mark from afar following a festival of extra passes which beats the rotations of the locals (46-43).
If Paul George and Devin Booker score the last basket of their team before the break, the two stars, well defended, return to the locker room with 9 points at 4/12 and 3/10 respectively on shots, and five balls lost for the Sun ( 48-47).
Payne and Ayton put on a diaper
Paul George and Reggie Jackson give the advantage to the Clippers for the first time since the first quarter but the Suns respond as bosses. They limit their opponent to 3 points in five minutes behind the impact of Deandre Ayton and seven points from an untenable Cameron Payne throws a 15-3 which gives them a nine point lead (63-54).
Two Ayton dunks blow up the room but LA lets the storm pass. Three award-winning shots from Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum, followed by a collision between Devin Booker and Patrick Beverley which leaves the two players bleeding, allow the Clippers to return to -4 (71-67). Without their star and with Payne on the bench, Phoenix manages to keep his advantage before a last quarter time which promises to be rough (75-71)!
The Clippers in place for the perfect heist
It is Luke Kennard and Dario Saric who open hostilities for each team while the Clippers opt again for a five without a professional interior. Phoenix then made a mini break thanks to two consecutive faults from Terance Mann on Devin Booker, including one on a 3-point shot, which gave him five free throws (86-79).
As from the start of the meeting, the Clippers are getting back together. Reggie Jackson then Luke Kennard scored from a distance to reduce the gap to -3 but LA continued to make mistakes in concentration. After the two faults on Booker, Jackson lost the ball on a return to the zone, and Paul George lost Cam Johnson with 3 seconds remaining on the 24 clock to give him a long shot (91-85).
Tyronn Lue’s men, however, have the merit of erasing their blunders behind the 7m25 line and in defense. They chained four stops, forcing Booker, who made the right decisions, to pass and a 3-point Beverley brought them back to -3 (93-90). The Clippers then have several opportunities to come back to -1 but they opt for four forced or first-intention award-winning shots and allow the Suns to let the storm pass.
With less than three minutes to go, Mikal Bridges plants an award-winning shot. Paul George responds. In the process, Deandre Ayton scores a jump hook. Ivica Zubac answers. Cameron Payne hits the mark halfway. Luke Kennard responds (100-97)! With less than 90 seconds to go, Phoenix is the first to fail. Patrick Beverley causes an offensive foul, non-existent, from Devin Booker, Ivica Zubac against Payne in the circle, and four points from Paul George give the advantage to the Clippers (101-100).
Last 30 crazy seconds!
Monty Williams then puts Devin Booker in a perfect situation and the latter does not tremble halfway. Tyronn Lue does the same for Paul George, and he converts his shot from mid-range to put the Clippers in front with 21 seconds left (103-102).
Devin Booker found himself with the match point near the touchline but Patrick Beverley managed to get his hands on the ball, which went into touch. At the request of the leader of the Clippers, the referees take a look at the video and give the ball to the Clippers with 9 seconds on the clock. The Suns are therefore fault on Paul George and the latter … misses his two free throws!
Monty Williams gives Devin Booker the ball again but the Clippers are two-handed and Mikal Bridges misses his 3-point shot in the corner but the ball goes out of bounds with 0.9 seconds left. The Suns have one last chance and Monty Williams sets up the perfect action. Devin Booker puts a screen on Zubac who defends Deandre Ayton, Nicolas Batum does not switch to stay on Devin Booker, and Jae Crowder sends Deandre Ayton to the alley-oop (104-103)! The Suns win a crazy Game 2 and go to Los Angeles leading 2-0!
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