Devin Booker and the Suns take advantage of the absence of Kawhi Leonard to take the advantage

NBA – The Phoenix guard stuck 45 points against a valiant and energetic Los Angeles team. But the absence of Kawhi Leonard weighed in the second half (129-124).

After Milwaukee and Memphis, Los Angeles also had to play a game without its best player, Kawhi Leonard. But like the other two teams, the Clippers responded collectively with a huge burst of energy at the start of the game. The Suns took a few minutes to take the temperature of this boiling atmosphere.

Well helped by the lost balloons, Devin Booker and his band will pass in front then the two teams will exchange baskets in the first period. The rear, superb, delivers a duel with a gala Norman Powell.

But in the second half, Tyronn Lue’s troops made too many mistakes and left spaces for Kevin Durant and company. The gap is made and will remain more or less stable until the end, despite the efforts of the Californians. In the last seconds, a winning shot from Torey Craig will hurt a lot, and that of Bones Hyland, back in then out, even more perhaps. The Suns win 124-129 and now lead 2-1.

WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER

– L’absence de Kawhi Leonard. Of course, you can’t miss it. The winger, hampered by his right knee, was huge in both games in Phoenix with 34.5 points on average at 54% shooting success. He is irreplaceable, even more so when Paul George is also in the infirmary. The Clippers played an admirable game without him, but it would be mission impossible to win this series if he does not return.

– The double-edged intensity of the start of the match. From the first seconds, the room was ready to explode. Russell Westbrook’s interception of Kevin Durant and the Clippers’ 6-0 kicked off this game. The crowd was on fire and the Suns looked underwater at the time. Except that this energy also has its downside: lost balloons. Russell Westbrook and his teammates lose six in less than five minutes and it totally revives Monty Williams’ players, who pass a 12-0.

– The Clippers defense didn’t hold in the second half. The Suns had the Clippers worn out, already because Kawhi Leonard was not there. Then because the efforts of the first half were paid off in the second half. The Californians made far too many mistakes, which explains the 16 points on the free throw line in the third quarter alone. Tyronn Lue will try a “small ball” in the last quarter to take risks on the passing lines. It will work for a while, but the Suns will take advantage of the spaces after the two-man strikes and will also seek valuable offensive rebounds.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Devin Booker. The man of the match and by far. The rear was outstanding from start to finish. It is he who launches his team with 13 points in the first quarter. He already had 21 points at the break and will finish with 45 units at 18/29 to shoot. His baskets with the fault late in the game killed the Clippers. Not to mention he stole three balls and blocked two shots. Simply a great game.

✅ Norman Powell

. He was there to replace Kawhi Leonard and made the match needed in this role. Probably more than he even expected. He carried the Clippers with his aggression and long shots. When Los Angeles faltered a little, in the second then in the third quarter, the former Toronto was there to give oxygen. With 42 points at 15/23 to shoot and 7/12 at 3-pts, he had a great game.

⛔ ✅ Russell Westbrook. He set the tone from the first seconds with his interception and his presence on the rebound. When he decided to attack the circle, in the third quarter, he was very good, scoring 15 points during this act. With 30 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds, he gave it his all. But if there is a downside that deserves to be highlighted as a flop, it is his lost balloons (6). The majority are very unsteady inside passes, whereas with a bit of application and concentration, the playmaker could have done better. These stupid stray balls broke the Clippers’ rhythm in the first quarter, but also at the end, with this missed pass less than three minutes from the end, on the counterattack, at a very important moment.

⛔ Chris Paul. With a little skill on his part (5/18 including 1/8 from afar), the match would have been much easier for the Suns. He is obviously still trying to adapt to his more “off ball” role.

THE FOLLOWING

Game 4 still in Los Angeles, Saturday evening (9:30 p.m. French time).

How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.