The Clippers defeat the Suns to extend their winning streak
Los Angeles Clippers #8 Marcus Morris Sr. (SF) scored 24-points against the Phoenix Suns' defense at the Crypto.com Arena. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sportstv1.
LOS ANGELES, CA - In their first meeting since the Western Conference Finals, Marcus Morris Sr. scored 24 points and 11 rebounds to help the Clippers defeat Phoenix 111-95 on Monday at the Crypto.com Arena.
This was the Clippers' fourth straight win and the Suns' fifth loss of the season. Reggie Jackson had 19-points, and Terance Man added 17-points and nine rebounds.
"We're just getting contributions from all of our guys," Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. "Our whole team did a good job of just chipping in."
Both teams were missing key players. The Suns played without Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard sat out for the Clippers.
The Suns got off to a slow start as they missed 12 of 13 shots in the first quarter. The Clippers were able to take a 10-point lead and finished the quarter 4 of 7 from three-point range.
Phoenix Suns #23 Cameron Johnson (SF) going strong to the basket. Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sportstv1.
The Clippers were up by as many as 15 points in the second quarter. They shot 50 percent in the first half and held Phoenix to 42 percent shooting.
Los Angeles went into halftime with a 56-44 lead. Jackson led the Clippers with 13 points in the first half.
"We were out of rhythm all night. We just couldn't knock down shots," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "If you're missing shots, you're playing in transition a lot."
Los Angeles Clippers #1 Reggie Jackson (G) shot being challenged by Phoenix Suns #23 Cameron Johnson (SF). Photo by William Johnson/T.G.Sportstv1.
The Clippers used a 10-5 run to take a seventeen-point lead, 64-47 in the third quarter. The Suns cut the lead down to ten points, 81-71 in the fourth quarter, but they could not overcome their poor shooting.
Cameron Johnson led the Suns with 17 points, and Mikal Bridges added 16 points. Former Clippers Chris Paul was held to nine points and eight assists.
"Against CP, we tried to slow him down and give him different looks," Lue said. "To slow him down a little bit was huge for us,"
Next up for the Clippers is a two-game road trip that begins on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz, and the Suns visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.