Paul George was a prominent reason the Clippers fell in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, missing critical free throws late in the final frame of play. However, he avenged his poor performance down the stretch with a masterful output in Game 3, cutting the series lead for the Suns in half.
George rebounded by notching 27 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists. That effort propelled the Clippers to a 106-92 victory, a win that was effectively necessary to keep their season alive. The win marked the first time the Clippers had ever won a game in the Western Conference Final.
Despite missing superstar Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers received deeply-needed production from Reggie Jackson, lockdown defense from Patrick Beverley and a vacuum on the glass through the long reach of Ivica Zubac.
It didn’t help the Suns that Devin Booker shot just 5 for 21 on the night, a shooter that is typically prolific with the ball. Add that onto solid performances, and the red-hot hand of Clippers reserve Terance Mann, and the fate of Game 3 was essentially sealed.
The Clippers are the first team in history to overcome multiple 2-0 game deficits to win a series in one playoff run, and head coach Tyronn Lue will look to recreate that magic in Game 4. Lue was candid about how he sees winning games. “Whatever it takes, doesn’t matter to me,” he said.
Part of the Clippers’ success in Game 4 will depend on whether they can match the aggressive pace with which Phoenix plays. George was not blind to this fact. “We can’t allow [Phoenix] to play harder than us, and I thought that was just the way we approached tonight,” George said.
Game 4 will tip off in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
