PHOENIX – Devin Booker unleashed a torrent of offense within the third quarter not often seen in NBA playoff historical past, hitting pictures from each nook of the health club.
The Phoenix Suns wanted nearly each one in all them.
Booker scored 47 factors, together with 25 in a spectacular third quarter, to steer the Suns previous the Los Angeles Clippers 136-130 on Tuesday night time and win the Western Convention first-round playoff sequence in 5 video games.
“It was non secular,” Suns ahead Kevin Durant stated of watching Booker’s third quarter. “I do not scream an excessive amount of in video games as I become old, however when he hit that 3 on the prime of the important thing, I felt that power and I do know everybody within the crowd felt it. We feed off his aggression.”
The Clippers did not go quietly, almost getting back from a 20-point deficit early within the fourth, hitting 4 straight 3s at one level to shortly shut the hole.
Los Angeles had a number of possibilities to tie within the ultimate three minutes, however may by no means convert. Durant made a layup to push Phoenix’s result in 134-130 after which made two free throws to place the Suns up six with 31.3 seconds left.
“I feel it is a good lesson for us transferring ahead,” Booker stated. “Do not play along with your meals. End out as sturdy as you’ll be able to. Hold enjoying all the way in which till the whistle blows.”
Durant completed with 31 factors whereas Deandre Ayton had 21 factors and 11 rebounds. Booker shot 19 of 27 from the sphere, together with 4 of seven from 3-point vary.
Durant’s ultimate free throws capped a wild back-and-forth second half that noticed the Clippers take a 71-61 lead early within the third.
However the Suns — led by Booker’s stellar shot making — unleashed a robust wave of offense, pouring in 50 factors within the third quarter to take a 111-94 lead into the fourth. Booker made 10 of 11 pictures within the rally, together with three 3-pointers and a tomahawk fastbreak dunk.
“When he’s going like that, we’re not calling any performs,” Suns coach Monty Williams stated.
Mentioned Clippers coach Tyronn Lue: “We couldn’t cease him. We had no reply for him. We tried to blitz him, we couldn’t blitz him.”
The flustered Clippers had no reply till it was too late. Norman Powell led Los Angeles with 27 factors whereas Mason Plumlee scored 20 off the bench.
It was a troublesome night time for Russell Westbrook, who scored 14 factors on 3 of 18 taking pictures and had a expensive turnover within the ultimate minute, dishing a go to Terance Mann, who wasn’t anticipating the ball. Westbrook additionally missed a contested layup with 2:19 left that might have tied the sport.
Westbrook stated he was pleased with the crew’s effort. He added eight rebounds and eight assists.
“We stayed with our ideas and stored preventing,” stated the nine-time All-Star. “Stored competing. Didn’t surrender on the subsequent play and gave ourselves an opportunity.”
The Suns will play the top-seeded Denver Nuggets within the second spherical. Recreation 1 is Saturday in Denver.
LEONARD’S ABSENCE
The sequence took a flip final week when the Clippers introduced Leonard had a sprained proper knee. The 2-time Finals MVP suffered the harm in Recreation 1 and performed by it in Recreation 2, however his situation worsened.
He missed Video games 3 and 4 and the Clippers misplaced each contests. They have been already enjoying with out eight-time All-Star Paul George, who additionally had a sprained proper knee and final performed on March 21.
However Los Angeles stayed aggressive regardless of these absences and Tuesday night time continued that pattern.
“We simply ran up in opposition to a extremely good opponent,” Lue stated.
HISTORIC BOOK
Booker grew to become simply the third participant up to now 25 seasons to attain at the least 25 factors in 1 / 4 throughout a playoff recreation. The others have been Damian Lillard (25 in 2019) and Allen Iverson (26 in 2001).
TIP-INS
Suns: Backup guard Cam Payne performed for the primary time within the playoffs. He missed the primary 4 video games with a sore again. He performed three minutes however did not rating. … Hosted a 77th straight sellout, combining common season and postseason video games.
Clippers: Had a 26-16 rebounding benefit within the first half. … Backup guard Bones Hyland scored 9 factors within the first half.
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