Clippers and Suns Set for Game 5 Showdown
The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena on Monday night in Game 5 of their Western Conference Finals series. The Suns lead the series, 3-1.
Paul George paced the Clippers (1-3) in an ugly Game 4, 84-80 loss with 23 points, but he shot just 5-for-20 from the field, including 1-for-9 from three-point range. That performance made it five straight playoff contests for George with sub-44.0 percent shooting, which coincides with all but one game of Kawhi Leonard's absence due to a knee injury. George did add 16 rebounds, six assists and one steal. Reggie Jackson delivered 20 points, five boards, one assist and one steal. Ivica Zubac generated a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one steal. Terance Mann totaled 12 points, four rebounds and one steal.
The Clippers will remain without Leonard for Monday's contest.
The Suns (3-1) find themselves on the cusp of the NBA Finals thanks to that gutsy Game 4 victory in which, as the final score implies, defense carried the night for both clubs. Phoenix prevailed despite shooting just 36.0 percent, with the fact they held Los Angeles to an even worse 32.5 percent success rate key to their narrow victory. Devin Booker led the way for the Suns with 25 points, adding two rebounds and two steals. Deandre Ayton generated a 19-point, 22-rebound double-double that also included three assists, four blocks and one steal. Chris Paul furnished 18 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Mikal Bridges mustered six points but also recorded 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The Suns will list Abdel Nader (knee) as probable for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the eighth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Suns have prevailed in four of their first seven games with the Clippers.
Paul George paced the Clippers (1-3) in an ugly Game 4, 84-80 loss with 23 points, but he shot just 5-for-20 from the field, including 1-for-9 from three-point range. That performance made it five straight playoff contests for George with sub-44.0 percent shooting, which coincides with all but one game of Kawhi Leonard's absence due to a knee injury. George did add 16 rebounds, six assists and one steal. Reggie Jackson delivered 20 points, five boards, one assist and one steal. Ivica Zubac generated a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one steal. Terance Mann totaled 12 points, four rebounds and one steal.
The Clippers will remain without Leonard for Monday's contest.
The Suns (3-1) find themselves on the cusp of the NBA Finals thanks to that gutsy Game 4 victory in which, as the final score implies, defense carried the night for both clubs. Phoenix prevailed despite shooting just 36.0 percent, with the fact they held Los Angeles to an even worse 32.5 percent success rate key to their narrow victory. Devin Booker led the way for the Suns with 25 points, adding two rebounds and two steals. Deandre Ayton generated a 19-point, 22-rebound double-double that also included three assists, four blocks and one steal. Chris Paul furnished 18 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Mikal Bridges mustered six points but also recorded 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The Suns will list Abdel Nader (knee) as probable for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the eighth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Suns have prevailed in four of their first seven games with the Clippers.