The stacked Suns vs the George-less Clippers. My opinion of Kawhi is perhaps higher than anyone and I think winning this series in doable, but it's a tough ask. Gordon hits back to back 3's early and the Clippers hold the Suns to just 18 points in the 1st term, up 18. Phoenix continue to struggle to score in the 2nd, but a hectic end to the half allows the Suns to cut into the deficit, down to 5. Westbrook giving excellent effort, needs to stop taking backdown fades though, missing a lot of shots. The Suns go on a run in the 3rd and it's all tied going into the last. A close game, Plumlee giving the Clippers good minutes, Booker with many defensive plays. Paul unusually missing the mid-range jumper all night. Leonard hits back to back 3's late, before the Suns bring it back. Westbrook with clutch defense, rebounds and free-throws closes out the game, the Clippers taking game 1 on the road. Phoenix shot better from the field, the Clippers marginally from 3. The Suns took good care of the ball, the Clippers +6 on the boards, mostly the offensive. Leonard with an efficient 38 points, 5 assists and 5 boards. Westbrook shot a woeful 3 of 19 from the field, but had 8 assists, 10 boards, 5 offensive, 2 steals and 3 blocks and a whole lot of hustle. Gordon 19 points. Zubac 12 points and 15 boards, 4 offensive. For the Suns, Durant an efficient 27 points, 11 assists, 9 boards, 2 blocks, with just 1 turnover. Booker 26 points, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Craig an efficient 22 points. Paul 10 assists, 11 boards and 2 steals. The Suns getting nothing from the bench.
3. (Lac) K. Leonard, 2. (Phx) K. Durant, 1. (Phx) D. Booker.
3. (Lac) K. Leonard, 2. (Phx) K. Durant, 1. (Phx) D. Booker.