Suns outlast Russell Westbrook, Kawhi-less Clippers for 3-1 series lead
2 years ago
Clippers #Clippers
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, and guard Russell Westbrook defend during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, chats with Clippers center Ivica Zubac just before tipoff during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Eric Gordon, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores on a layup in front of the Phoenix Suns’ Landry Shamet, right, and Kevin Durant during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig, left, goes up for a dunk as Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) and forward Nicolas Batum, right, defend during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Injured Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, watches from the bench during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket as the Phoenix Suns’ Landry Shamet defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams speaks to Chris Paul, left, and Kevin Durant on the sidelines during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, shoots as Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant looks to pass as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores on a layup in front of the Phoenix Suns’ Landry Shamet during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, and Clippers center Ivica Zubac reach for a rebound as Suns guards Chris Paul, left, and Devin Booker look on during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reacts in front of an official after being called for a foul during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Chris Paul, left, reacts after blocking a shot by Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo, left, defends and center Ivica Zubac, center, watches during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant stands on the court during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo, right, reaches in on Clippers center Mason Plumlee during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul shoots during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue Phoenix Suns coach watches from the sidelines during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots a jumper in front of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., left, blocks a shot by Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie, right, grabs a rebound away from Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket between the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, left, and Josh Okogie during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket between the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, left, and Josh Okogie during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Eric Gordon drives to the basket between the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant, left, and Torrey Craig during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams watches from the sidelines during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook looks to pass as he cuts between the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant, left, and Devin Booker during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant, left, and Devin Booker react toward the bench after a stop in play during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, center, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, and forward Robert Covington defend during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, is fouled by Clippers guard Russell Westbrook as he shoots during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee, center, has his shot blocked by Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, and forward Torrey Craig during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, celebrates after scoring as guard Eric Gordon runs behind during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, reaches to try to catch a pass as he is fouled by the Phoenix Suns’ Torrey Craig during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, drives past Clippers guard Norman Powell during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, is congratulated by center Bismack Biyombo after hitting an off-balance 3-point shot during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig, right, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker holds his pose after hitting a 3-point shot as forward Kevin Durant, center, and guard Chris Paul congratulate each other while Clippers center Mason Plumlee, far left, walks away during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook stands on the court in the closing seconds of the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and forward Kevin Durant congratulate each other during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook watches warm-ups before Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Clippers coach Tyronn Lue had hoped his team would play with the same passion they displayed in a losing effort in Game 3, when they overcame a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter before coming up short.
Only he wanted one thing to change.
“To win,” he said before the matinee tipoff.
But like the previous game, the Clippers couldn’t overcome the Phoenix Suns’ duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who carried Phoenix to a 112-100 Game 4 victory on Saturday afternoon with a finishing kick from former Clipper Chris Paul. The Suns have won three straight and lead the best-of-seven first-round playoff series 3-1 with Game 5 on Tuesday night in Phoenix.
Durant had a team-high 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Booker added 30 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Paul added 19 points, nine assists and three steals, quieting the Crypto.com Arena crowd with two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Deandre Ayton had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
The short-handed Clippers again played with a desperate intensity to stay afloat in the series, but it came in fits and starts. Several times, they grabbed the momentum with big scoring runs only to give it all back with turnovers and careless fouls.
And like the game two days ago, Clippers were without their two biggest stars – Kawhi Leonard and Paul George – both of whom sat on the bench with sprained right knees. Lue dismissed their absence playing any part in the Clippers trailing 2-1 coming into Saturday’s game.
“Because we’ve been in this position before a lot of times. Our guys are prideful guys in that locker room, and they are professionals as well,” Lue said. “We played well when PG and Kawhi have been out, and I just think that the addition with Russ, when he’s on the floor, we believe we can win every night, again.”
Westbrook had another big game – 37 points, six rebounds and four assists to become the sixth player in franchise history to score 30 points in back-to-back postseason games. He had 14 points in the fourth quarter, including nine in a row when they twice pulled within two points, but it wasn’t enough.
Eric Gordon disappeared after the first half, Norman Powell didn’t produce the same kind of 3-point fireworks he did in Game 3 and finished with just 14 points, and Terance Mann added 13.
The Clippers were in a good spot in the early going as the Suns shot 28% in the first quarter, shooting just 7 for 25 from the field. Durant picked up two fouls and the visitors had four turnovers.
The Clippers took advantage of the Suns’ rough opening. Mason Plumlee whipped passes like Magic Johnson. Gordon was in a groove from 3-point range (2 for 3), Westbrook was active, and the Clippers used a 19-5 run to open a 30-23 lead.
Then the second quarter happened. Turnovers, something Lue had warned about, crept into their game. The Clippers turned the ball over eight times in the quarter and had 10 by halftime – nine of them on steals by the Suns. And it turned out, they couldn’t hold onto the lead any better than they could hang onto the ball. They trailed 48-47 at halftime.
The Clippers scored nine straight points to open the third and take an eight-point lead. But Durant scored 11 points in the period, capped by a 3-pointer that sent the Suns into the fourth leading 83-78.
Marcus Morris Sr. started in place of Nicolas Batum, who had struggled offensively throughout the series. Morris, playing in his second game since March 25, scored nine points and had three rebounds. His appearance was part of Lue’s plan to change things up.
“You know, just keep throwing fresh bodies on the floor, continue to keep playing the way we’ve been playing and then hopefully they slow down a little bit,” Lue said.
Eleven NBA teams have come back from a 3-1 playoff deficit to win, and one should be noted. The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to win their only title.
The coach? Tyronn Lue.
The Clippers also have been on the opposite side of that situation. In the 2015 Western Conference semifinals, the Houston Rockets won three games in a row to stop the Clippers from reaching what would have been their first trip to the Finals.
Then in the 2021 playoffs, down 3-1 to Phoenix, the Clippers won an elimination game only to lose the series to the Suns 4-2.
