Clippers Outplay Suns in 106-92 win in Game 3 of Western Conference Finals

Los Angeles Clippers #13 Paul George (F) three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns #1 Devin Booker (SF/SG). Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Los Angeles Clippers let a golden opportunity slip by to beat the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, were back at home to right the ship and bounced back to beat the Suns 106-92 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

The Clippers had a strong team performance by Paul George with 27-points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, followed by Reggie Jackson with 23-points, Ivica Zubac with 15-points 16 rebounds, Terance Mann with 12-points, Kennard Leonard with 9-points, and Patrick Beverly and Marcus Morris Sr. both with 8-points.

The Clippers' head coach Tyronn Lue went with Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Paul George, Patrick Beverly, and Ivica Zubac for his starting lineup for Game 3.

Patrick Beverly gave the Clippers a 5-2 lead in the first quarter. Paul George made a fade-away jump shot that had the Clippers leading 14-8. Phoenix trail 16-15 after a three-point shot by Cameron Johnson.

Reggie Jackson made a jump shot that had the Clippers up 18-15. Ivica Zubac made two free throws that had the Clippers up 23-19. Nicolas Batum made a layup, and the Clippers led by eight points at the end of the quarter, 29-21.

Marcus Morris Sr. made two free throws in the second quarter, making the score 31-26. The Suns tied the game 33-33 after Johnson made a jump shot with 6:58 left in the first half.

Paul George made a jump shot inside the key that gave the Clippers a 42-41 lead with 2:32 left in the first half. The Suns were up 48-43 after George was fouled behind the three-point arc, and made two of his three free throws.

The Clippers trail the Suns at halftime after George drove the basket and made a one-handed power dunk. George led the Clippers in scoring with 13-points, Zubac with 11-points, and Reggie Jackson with 9-points.

"I knew I had to be better," Paul George said. "All my energy was directed toward a better game."

Phoenix Suns #1 Devin Booker (SF/SG) going up strong to the basket against several Los Angeles Clippers defenders at the Staple Center. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.

Deandre Aton led the Suns in scoring with 10-points, and Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Cameron Johnson all had 7-points. The Clippers shot poorly from the three-point line making only 3 of 17 shots for 17.6 percent.

The Suns made only 5 of 18 shots from behind the three-point arc 27.8 percent and dominated the Clippers in the paint 26-14. Morris Sr. has struggled shooting in the series against Pheonix.

Terance Mann tied the game 48-48 in the third quarter. The Suns were up 52-48 after a basket by Ayton. Moments later, Mann made a jump shot that gave the Clippers a three-point lead, 56-53.

Jackson made a floater in the key making the score 58-53. George made a layup that had the Clippers leading 62-56. Beverly drove to the basket and was fouled by Booker for his fourth, giving, and had to leave the game.

"We continue to chip away, try to find ways we can be better, and impose our will on opponents," Reggie Jackson said. "We showed a lot of heart, a lot of fight."

The Clippers led by ten points, 66-56 after a pair of free throws by Zubac. George made a three-point shot that made the score 69-56 with 4:56 left in the quarter.

The Clippers led 74-63 with a three-pointer by Morris Sr. with 1:58 left in the quarter. The Suns trail again by ten points, 76-66, after Luke Kennard made a three-pointer. George made a three-point shot at the buzzer that gave the Clippers an 80-69 lead to end the quarter.

Kennard was fouled on his made three-point shot and made his free throw to give the Clippers an 84-69 lead in the fourth quarter. The Clippers led by sixteen points, 87-71, after a made three-point shot by Morris Sr.

Chris Paul made a three-pointer that had the Suns down 89-76. Jae Crowder's three-pointer had the Suns trailing 89-81 with 8:31 left in the game.

Los Angeles Clippers #21 Patrick Beverly (PG) three-point shot being challenged by the Phoenix Suns #22 Deandre Ayton. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.

The Clippers stole the ball from the Suns, and Jackson went down the court and made a layup making the score 91-83.

Jackson would make a three-point shot that increased the Clippers' lead to 94-83, forcing the Suns to call a timeout. Jackson nailed another three-pointer that made the score 99-86 with 3:11 left in the game.

Beverly's three-pointer had the Clippers us 104-89 with 2:20 left in the game. Beverly made a hook shot that made the score 106-90. The Clippers won Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals 106-92.

"Our guys keep grinding, keep fighting," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. "We never give in."

Deandre Ayton led the Suns in scoring with 18-points, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker both had 15-points, Mikal Bridges had 13-points, and Cameron Johnson had 12-points.

The Clippers will try to tie the series in Game 4 on Saturday at 6 PM.