Game ID: 22300473
LA Clippers @ Phoenix Suns
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHX 20 31 40 31 122LAC 35 35 37 24 131
LAC @ PHX ScoutingLAC @ PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
PHX availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 4 since 12/17, out tonight
OUT Nurkić missed 2 since 12/22, returns tonight: 14 min (52% of 27)
OUT Bates-Diop missed 4 since 12/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 12/15 after 3, 34 min since (103% of 33)
BACK Gordon back 12/17 after 2, 30 min since (108% of 28)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 12 min since (79% of 16)
BACK Watanabe back 12/22 after 2, 12 min since (89% of 13)
BACK Bol back 12/22 after 2, 3 min since (32% of 11)
PHX availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 5 since 12/17, returns tonight: 30 min (89% of 34)
OUT Bates-Diop missed 5 since 12/17, out tonight
BACK Gordon back 12/17 after 2, 32 min since (115% of 28)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 14 min since (52% of 27)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 11 min since (71% of 16)
BACK Watanabe back 12/22 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 13)
BACK Bol back 12/22 after 2, 2 min since (23% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 17 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Eubanks missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Bates-Diop missed 6 since 12/17, out tonight
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 30 min since (89% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 21 min since (78% of 27)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 11 min since (71% of 16)
BACK Watanabe back 12/22 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 13)
BACK Bol back 12/22 after 2, 2 min since (23% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/01 · back-to-backOUT Eubanks missed 3 since 12/27, returns tonight: 6 min (36% of 16)
OUT Bates-Diop missed 7 since 12/17, returns tonight: 17 min (109% of 15)
OUT Watanabe missed 2 since 12/29, returns tonight: 6 min (42% of 13)
OUT Bol missed 2 since 12/29, returns tonight: 20 min (186% of 11)
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 32 min since (96% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 10 min since (63% of 16)
NEW Metu 12 to 20 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restBACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 33 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 6 min since (36% of 16)
BACK Okogie back 12/25 after 5, 12 min since (77% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 17 min since (109% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 6 min since (42% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 20 min since (186% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 22 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Durant missed 2 since 1/01, out tonight
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 35 min since (104% of 34)
BACK Nurkić back 12/27 after 2, 25 min since (92% of 27)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 5 min since (30% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 19 min since (124% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 6 min since (42% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 19 min since (181% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Durant missed 3 since 1/01, returns tonight: 36 min (97% of 38)
BACK Beal back 12/29 after 5, 35 min since (105% of 34)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 10 min since (67% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 19 min since (123% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 7 min since (55% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 16 min since (153% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Gordon missed 2 since 1/05, returns tonight: 25 min (88% of 28)
BACK Durant back 1/07 after 3, 36 min since (97% of 38)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 11 min since (72% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 18 min since (116% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 7 min since (55% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/01 after 2, 16 min since (153% of 11)
NEW Metu 12 to 17 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 1/11 · 2 days' restOUT Bol missed 2 since 1/07, returns tonight: 17 min (162% of 11)
BACK Durant back 1/07 after 3, 36 min since (95% of 38)
BACK Gordon back 1/08 after 2, 25 min since (88% of 28)
BACK Eubanks back 1/01 after 3, 12 min since (78% of 16)
BACK Bates-Diop back 1/01 after 7, 15 min since (95% of 15)
BACK Watanabe back 1/01 after 2, 7 min since (50% of 13)
LAC availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 12 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 22 since 11/08, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 12/21 after 4, 10 min since (71% of 14)
BACK Boston back 12/16 after 3, 9 min since (91% of 10)
NEW Coffey 21 to 27 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Leonard missed 2 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 13 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 23 since 11/08, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 12/21 after 4, 9 min since (64% of 14)
BACK Boston back 12/16 after 3, 10 min since (101% of 10)
LAC availability going into 12/29 · 2 days' restOUT Leonard missed 3 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 14 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 24 since 11/08, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 12/21 after 4, 9 min since (64% of 14)
NEW Coffey 21 to 26 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Leonard missed 4 since 12/21, returns tonight: 34 min (99% of 34)
OUT Tucker missed 15 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 25 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 12/26, returns tonight: 3 min (29% of 10)
NEW Coffey 21 to 29 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 16 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 26 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 34 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (29% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 17 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 27 since 11/08, returns tonight: 7 min (51% of 14)
OUT Hyland missed 4 since 12/26, returns tonight: 6 min (47% of 14)
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 37 min since (108% of 34)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (29% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 18 since 11/29, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 34 min since (101% of 34)
BACK Plumlee back 1/05 after 27, 7 min since (51% of 14)
BACK Hyland back 1/05 after 4, 6 min since (47% of 14)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 5 min since (47% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Tucker missed 19 since 11/29, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 35 min since (101% of 34)
BACK Plumlee back 1/05 after 27, 7 min since (51% of 14)
BACK Hyland back 1/05 after 4, 6 min since (47% of 14)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 5 min since (47% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 20 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 1/07, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 34 min since (100% of 34)
BACK Plumlee back 1/05 after 27, 6 min since (42% of 14)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 5 min since (46% of 10)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 111, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 25 free throws a game; Durant at 24 and Booker at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 18 free throws a game; George at 23 and Harden at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Tucker (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the line, where Phoenix takes 25 free throws a game to the Clippers' 18 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 111 a night to the Clippers' 119. Call it Phoenix 118, the Clippers 112.
12/27 @ HOU 129-113 — PHX notes
PHX won 129-113. PHX shot 57% (47 of 82) to HOU's 42%, 14 of 33 from three. PHX turned it over 19 times to HOU's 9, and HOU turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 44-33 for them. Durant led with 27 (9 of 16, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Gordon added 27, Booker 20. The hinge was Q2, 43-31: a lead of 6 became 18, and the lead reached 21. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/29 vs CHA 133-119 — PHX notes
PHX won 133-119. PHX shot 62% (46 of 74) to CHA's 48%, 18 of 30 from three, and went to the line 24 times to CHA's 8 — 23 points from the stripe to their 8. PHX turned it over 14 times to CHA's 6. The glass went 39-26 for them. Booker led with 35 (10 of 18, 5 of 7 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Nurkić added 24, Durant 21. The hinge was Q1, 36-30: from level to 6 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Allen was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
12/31 vs ORL 112-107 — PHX notes
PHX won 112-107. PHX shot 50% (44 of 88) to ORL's 47%, 8 of 27 from three, and went to the line 19 times to ORL's 12 — 16 points from the stripe to their 11. PHX turned it over 6 times to ORL's 15. The glass went 35-45 against them. Durant led with 31 (12 of 21, 2 of 5 from three); Beal added 25, Booker 21. The hinge was Q1, 37-24: from level to 13 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Nurkić was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
1/01 vs POR 109-88 — PHX notes
PHX won 109-88. PHX shot 48% (38 of 80) to POR's 41%, 11 of 29 from three, and went to the line 33 times to POR's 19 — 22 points from the stripe to their 14. The glass went 47-36 for them. Beal led with 21 (8 of 16, 1 of 3 from three); Nurkić added 18, Metu 14. The hinge was Q2, 35-18: PHX came in trailing by 9 and left it ahead by 8, and the lead reached 26. Beal was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
1/03 vs LAC 122-131 — PHX notes
PHX lost 122-131. PHX shot 53% (42 of 79) to LAC's 55%, 15 of 35 from three, and got to the line 26 times to LAC's 32. Booker led with 35 (11 of 15, 5 of 8 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Beal added 21, Gordon 16. Q4 was theirs, 31-24, the deficit cut from 16 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 107-91 against them. Allen's -19 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 112, shooting 54 percent and 43 from three, 26 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Booker at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Durant (2 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 29 free throws a game; Adebayo at 21 and Herro at 21 a game. Without Butler III (2 straight), Martin (4 straight), Highsmith (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 43 percent from three to Miami's 34. Call it Phoenix 116, Miami 111.
1/07 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Booker at 24 and Beal at 20 a game. Without Durant (3 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 113, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Morant at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Williams Jr. (2 straight), Jackson (10 straight), LaRavia (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-2 a night and Memphis minus-7 and the arc, Phoenix at 42 percent from three to Memphis's 37. Call it Phoenix 116, Memphis 108.
1/08 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 22 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Tucker (19 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 21 a game. Without Gordon (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-7 a night and Phoenix minus-1 and the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Phoenix's 36. Call it the Clippers 115, Phoenix 111, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/11 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 25 a game. Without Hachimura (4 straight), Vincent (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 19 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to the Lakers' 33. Call it the Lakers 116, Phoenix 115, Phoenix keeping it close.
12/23 vs BOS 108-145 — LAC notes
LAC lost 108-145. LAC shot 46% (41 of 89) to BOS's 52%, 11 of 34 from three, and got to the line 15 times to BOS's 28. The glass went 34-51 against them. George led with 21 (9 of 17, 3 of 7 from three); Zubac added 16, Theis 15. Q1 was theirs, 21-28, but the other 3 periods went 117-87 against them. Harden's -34 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 vs CHA 113-104 — LAC notes
LAC won 113-104. LAC shot 47% (40 of 85) to CHA's 46%, 14 of 34 from three, and went to the line 25 times to CHA's 16 — 19 points from the stripe to their 12. Harden led with 29 (8 of 16, 6 of 12 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); George added 25, Zubac 18. The hinge was Q4, 31-24: a lead of 2 became 9. Harden was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
12/29 vs MEM 117-106 — LAC notes
LAC won 117-106. LAC shot 49% (43 of 87) to MEM's 44%, 11 of 39 from three. LAC turned it over 17 times to MEM's 12, and MEM turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 54-33 for them. George led with 23 (8 of 21, 2 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Harden added 16, Zubac 15. The hinge was Q3, 35-21: a lead of 5 became 19. Coffey was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
1/01 vs MIA 121-104 — LAC notes
LAC won 121-104. LAC shot 59% (47 of 80) to MIA's 42%, 14 of 29 from three, and got to the line 14 times to MIA's 29. Leonard led with 24 (10 of 19, 2 of 5 from three); George added 23, Powell 22. The hinge was Q2, 36-23: LAC came in trailing by 12 and left it ahead by 1, and the lead reached 22. Zubac was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
1/03 @ PHX 131-122 — LAC notes
LAC won 131-122. LAC shot 55% (42 of 76) to PHX's 53%, 18 of 34 from three, and went to the line 32 times to PHX's 26 — 29 points from the stripe to their 23. George led with 33 (8 of 14, 5 of 10 from three, 12 of 14 at the line); Leonard added 30, Harden 22. The hinge was Q1, 35-20: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Mann was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/05 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 104, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ingram at 21 and Williamson at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Murphy III (3 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 25 and Harden at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Tucker (17 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 104 a night to the Clippers' 116. Call it New Orleans 117, the Clippers 111.
1/07 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 28 and James at 24 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Russell (3 straight), Hachimura (2 straight), Vincent (8 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 106, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Tucker (18 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-7 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the arc, the Clippers at 42 percent from three to the Lakers' 32. Call it the Clippers 116, the Lakers 112, the Lakers keeping it close.
1/08 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 22 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Tucker (19 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 21 a game. Without Gordon (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-7 a night and Phoenix minus-1 and the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Phoenix's 36. Call it the Clippers 115, Phoenix 111, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/10 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 108, shooting 53 percent and 46 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 21 a game. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Tucker (20 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 123, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 24 and Barrett at 21 a game. Without Dick (7 straight), Freeman-Liberty (35 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 108 a night to Toronto's 123 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-6 a night and Toronto plus-0. Call it the Clippers 121, Toronto 114.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LACAC A. Coffey
BH B. Hyland
DT D. Theis
IZ I. Zubac
JH J. Harden
KL K. Leonard
NP N. Powell
PG P. George
RW R. Westbrook
TM T. Mann
PHXBB B. Beal
BB B. Bol
CM C. Metu
DB D. Booker
DE D. Eubanks
EG E. Gordon
GA G. Allen
JN J. Nurkić
JO J. Okogie
KB K. Bates-Diop
NU Nurkic
LAC/PHX the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
George scores 33 points, Leonard adds 30 to help surging Clippers beat Suns 131-122
PHOENIX -- — Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue was still stewing a little in the postgame press conference, replaying in his head how the Clippers' offense got a little stagnant during the final eight minutes against Phoenix on Wednesday night.
The good news for the Clippers is the first 40 minutes were so good it didn't really matter.
Paul George scored 33 points, Kawhi Leonard added 30 and the Clippers extended their winning streak to four straight by beating the Suns 131-122. Los Angeles has won 13 of 15 while Phoenix had its four-game winning streak snapped.
George shot 8 of 14 from the field, going 5 of 10 from 3-point range. James Harden had 22 points and 11 assists.
The Clippers shot 55% from the field and 53% from 3-point range — efficient numbers all around. Harden said he expects that will be the norm as he continues to adapt to his new team after being traded from Philadelphia on Oct. 31.
“We still haven't figured it out, because different teams guard us differently," Harden said. "Once we've seen every defense, which probably won't be until the end of the year, we'll figure out how to attack.”
Los Angeles appears to be a quick study with an 18-5 record after starting the season 3-7.
The Clippers kept a comfortable lead throughout most of the second half — pushing the advantage to 23 points midway through the third — but the Suns made a run in the fourth quarter and cut it to 118-110 with 5:13 remaining.
L.A.'s Norman Powell responded with a 3 that helped the Clippers regain control. He scored 13 points off the bench.
“It's just making the right pass and making the right play — that's what we've got to be good at,” Lue said. “We want teams to double team us with all the shooting we have, but we just didn't handle it the right way.”
Devin Booker led the Suns with 35 points on 11-of-15 shooting, with Kevin Durant missing his second straight game because of soreness in his right hamstring. Bradley Beal added 21 points, but shot just 7 of 20 and missed all six of his 3-point attempts. Bol Bol scored 14 points, including two 3s.
“Really proud of how we competed — we didn't give up on the game. That's a positive attribute for our team,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “I'm more concerned with how we started defensively. I don't think we had the necessary disposition to guard an elite offense.”
Los Angeles never trailed, taking a 30-13 lead late in the first quarter, unleashing waves of offense against the overmatched Phoenix defense. The Clippers led 70-51 at halftime after shooting 58.5% from the field.
“We've got to start games better and with a sense of urgency. Be ready for the fight,” Booker said. “We were fighting uphill the whole game. We showed some things in the second half, what it looks like when we turn up the energy and intensity.”
George had 21 points before the break while Leonard and Terance Mann both had 12.
The Suns seemed more interested in sniping at the referees rather than playing defense. Booker and Beal were both called for technical fouls in the first half.
Phoenix announced a 100th straight sellout crowd, counting games in both the regular season and postseason.