Russell Westbrook had one other gutsy efficiency in Recreation 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 residence ground on Tuesday evening after profitable back-to-back video games in Los Angeles towards the undermanned LA Clippers. Kawhi Leonard hasn’t performed since Recreation 2 on account of a sprained proper knee. Paul George has not seen motion since buying the identical damage 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 dealing with an uphill battle in Recreation 5 as Kawhi Leonard has once more been dominated out.
The place to observe
Recreation 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 can be streamed through the NBA League Move
Recreation preview
The LA Clippers behind Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell and the remainder of the group can’t be praised excessive sufficient for his or her gutsy stand. With out Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, they simply 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 in a position to get away with a break up. As soon as “The Claw’s” sprained proper knee received worse, he took LA’s probabilities of profitable away with him.
The Clippers don’t have anything to lose. They may play unfastened and put all the things on the road as they solely have a puncher’s probability of profitable Recreation 5.
The Suns, although, don’t need to delay the sequence. Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker have had numerous 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 group, will transfer on to the subsequent spherical after Recreation 5.
Recreation prediction
Unfold: Suns (-12.5)
Whole (O/U): 223.5
Moneyline: Clippers (+587) vs. Suns (-900)
Until the Phoenix Suns endure a colossal breakdown in entrance of their legions of followers in Arizona, the LA Clippers ought to finish after Recreation 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: “The most effective on the earth” – Russell Westbrook feels unhappy for Kawhi Leonard who missed Recreation 3 with a knee damage
