The Suns do not stop anymore! After eliminating reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers and then sweeping the Denver Nuggets without further ado, the Arizona players kicked off their Western Conference final against the Los Angeles Clippers with a victory in the end of a very high intensity duel. However, it was the Californians, led by the inevitable Paul George (34 points) and a discreet but present Nicolas Batum (5 points, 10 rebounds), who led the race for most of the first quarter … until a final three-point shot from Cameron Johnson (12 points) to put the two teams back on a par after the first twelve minutes. The second quarter saw the two teams answer each other in a series of six to ten consecutive points. The indecision was total but Devin Booker came out of his box to give the Suns three steps ahead at the break. Always having to compose without Chris Paul, the Suns relied on their rear-star to put the Clippers in difficulty.
WCF Game 1 ✔️
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— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 20, 2021
Booker shines in Paul’s absence
Because, upon returning to the floor, it was the Phoenix players who made the game and taken up to eight lengths ahead. But the Californians were determined not to let go after releasing the Jazz at the end of Game 7. Thanks to a 16-2, they reversed the trend but failed to keep the controls. It must be said that Devin Booker raised the tone with a triple-double to the key (40 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists). However, Paul George responded with a three-point shot that tied the two teams with twelve minutes remaining. The start of the fourth quarter was the key. With a 12-2, the Suns built up a ten-point mattress that has held up for a long time. It wasn’t until the final two minutes that the Phoenix defense started to tighten up, which benefited Rajon Rondo (8 points, 7 assists) and Terance Mann (9 points), who brought the Clippers down to two. points with 22 seconds to go. But Devin Booker whistled the end of recess and ensured the victory of his team by six points (120-114). The Suns are taking the lead but everything remains to be done.
BASKET – NBA / PLAY-OFFS 2021
Conference Finals
Western Conference
PHOENIX SUNS (2) – LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (4) : 1-0
Match 1 – Phoenix Suns – Los Angeles Clippers : 120-114
> Nicolas Batum (LAC): 5 points to 2/5 on shots (including 1/4 to three points), 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 against and 2 faults in 36 minutes
Match 2 : Phoenix Suns – Los Angeles Clippers June 22
Match 3 : Los Angeles Clippers – Phoenix Suns June 24
Match 4 : Los Angeles Clippers – Phoenix Suns June 26
Match 5 (if necessary): Phoenix Suns – Los Angeles Clippers June 28
Match 6 (if necessary): Los Angeles Clippers – Phoenix Suns June 30
Match 7 (if necessary): Phoenix Suns – Los Angeles Clippers July 2
