Russell Westbrook had one other gutsy efficiency in Sport 4 towards the Phoenix Suns however couldn’t carry the shorthanded LA Clippers to the win. “Russ” dropped 14 of his 37 factors within the ultimate interval however simply couldn’t get sufficient assist from his teammates.
The Phoenix Suns’ trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul mixed for 80 factors, 24 rebounds and 22 assists. Phoenix’s win introduced them on the verge of punching a ticket to the semifinal spherical of the playoffs.
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The Suns may do it on their house ground on Tuesday night time after successful back-to-back video games in Los Angeles towards the undermanned LA Clippers. Kawhi Leonard hasn’t performed since Sport 2 attributable to a sprained proper knee. Paul George has not seen motion since buying the identical harm as Leonard’s on March 21 towards the OKC Thunder.
Nonetheless, with out Leonard and George, the Clippers had been by no means out of the sport till the ultimate seconds. Westbrook scored 9 straight factors within the fourth quarter to chop the hole to 2 factors on two events.
Chris Paul countered with 14 factors of his personal to match Westbrook’s essential fourth-quarter play.
The LA Clippers will once more be going through an uphill battle in Sport 5 as Kawhi Leonard has once more been dominated out.
The place to look at
Sport 5 of the first-round sequence between the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns will begin at 10:00 PM ET. TNT will characteristic the sport on nationwide TV whereas Bally Sports activities Arizona, Bally Sports activities South Carolina and ClipperVision will deal with native protection.
The sport may also be streamed through the NBA League Cross
Sport preview
The LA Clippers behind Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell and the remainder of the workforce can’t be praised excessive sufficient for his or her gutsy stand. With out Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, they only don’t stand an opportunity towards the loaded Phoenix Suns.
With Leonard and Westbrook main the cost within the first two video games of the sequence, the Clippers had been capable of get away with a cut up. As soon as “The Claw’s” sprained proper knee acquired worse, he took LA’s possibilities of successful away with him.
The Clippers don’t have anything to lose. They are going to play free and put the whole lot on the road as they solely have a puncher’s likelihood of successful Sport 5.
The Suns, although, don’t wish to delay the sequence. Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker have had varied accidents this season. The faster they finish the sequence, the higher it’s for his or her veterans.
The LA Clippers put up a gutsy and gritty battle however the Phoenix Suns, the clearly superior workforce, will transfer on to the subsequent spherical after Sport 5.
Sport prediction
Unfold: Suns (-12.5)
Complete (O/U): 223.5
Moneyline: Clippers (+587) vs. Suns (-900)
Except the Phoenix Suns undergo a colossal breakdown in entrance of their legions of followers in Arizona, the LA Clippers ought to finish after Sport 5. Regardless of Russell Westbrook’s never-say-die spirit, the absence of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is simply an excessive amount of to beat.
Phoenix Suns 125, LA Clippers, 110
Additionally learn: “One of the best on this planet” – Russell Westbrook feels unhappy for Kawhi Leonard who missed Sport 3 with a knee harm
