NBA Playoffs: Suns push series lead over Clippers to 3-1 with 112-100 win as Chris Paul overwhelms

Once a Clipper, Chris Paul was back in LA on Saturday to serve as the last tormentor of the long-suffering franchise with a 12-point fourth quarter in a 112-100 Game 3 win for the Phoenix Suns that extended their lead in the first round. of the series increased to 3-1.

Paul finished with 19 points, nine assists, three blocks and three steals. But he did have some help in the form of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who scored 31 and 30 points respectively for the Suns.

The Clippers were once again without their two highest-paid stars, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, both of whom are battling right knee sprains.

Leonard has a chance to replay this series, but George’s season could be over unless LA can advance to the second round.

While Leonard’s knee injury is not believed to be serious, it was apparently exacerbated by his decision to play in Game 2 after initially injuring the joint in the series opener. He missed the 2021-2022 season due to a torn right cruciate ligament. Despite the knee problems, Leonard averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and six assists in his first two games against the Suns.

Kevin Durant (left) and Devin Booker scored 31 and 30 points, respectively, for the Suns

The Clippers, who lost Game 3 by five points, put in another strong run as Leonard watched from the bench.

Russell Westbrook carried the Clippers in the fourth quarter. He had 14 points, including nine in a row as they came within two points twice.

Westbrook finished with a game-high 37 points. Norman Powell added 14 points and Terance Mann had 13 off the bench.

Game 5 is Tuesday in Phoenix.

But as the fourth expired, the Clippers ran out of gas.

Paul had 12 runs in the fourth inning, hitting big jumpers from all over the field every time Los Angeles threatened.

Booker had nine rebounds and seven assists. Deandre Ayton had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Westbrook carried the Clippers in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points along the stretch

Looking timeless at 34, Durant scored 11 runs in the third as the Suns made up an early eight-run deficit.

The Clippers scored nine straight runs 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 fourth-leading 83-78.

The Suns trailed 11 runs at the start of the second inning as they defeated the Clippers 25-17 and led 48-47 at halftime.

Durant got his third offense in the period, while Westbrook, Powell and Marcus Morris already had two offenses each for the Clippers.