PG scores 41 as Clippers down Suns to extend series

PHOENIX, June 29 ------ Paul George scored 41 points, Reggie Jackson added 23 and the resilient Los Angeles Clippers staved off elimination by beating the Phoenix Suns, 116-102, on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time) in Game Five of the Western Conference finals. The short-handed Clippers were playing without two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and center Ivica Zubac, who missed his first game of the season with an MCL sprain in his right knee. They've already fought through two grueling series wins in these playoffs, coming back from 2-0 deficits to beat both the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. Now they're trying to claw back against the Suns. Game Five was a good start.

George was fantastic after a tough shooting night in Game Four, pouring in 20 points in the third quarter. He finished 15 of 20 from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range and added 13 rebounds and six assists. Marcus Morris Sr. was good, too. The veteran forward, who played for Phoenix earlier in his career, added 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting. The series moves back to LA with the Suns holding a 3-2 advantage. Game Six is on Wednesday.

It was the common theme of the night: Every time the Suns got some momentum, the Clippers were there to squash it in a hurry. The Clippers took a 91-78 lead into the fourth. The Suns pulled within 98-94 with 6:58 left but LA responded with a 10-2 run and pulled away for the win. Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points. Paul — who is trying to go to the NBA Finals for the first time in his 16-year career — added 22 points and eight assists. Deandre Ayton had 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Clippers played inspired basketball in the first half, jumping out to an 20-5 lead by halfway through the first quarter. Jackson threw down a huge one-handed jam during the run and LA hit nine of its first 11 shots.

Morris was 6 of 7 in the first and Jackson made a layup at the buzzer to give the Clippers a 36-26 advantage going into the second. The Suns cut the advantage to 44-42 midway through the second but the Clippers rallied again to push ahead by 10. Booker hit a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to cut the Clippers' advantage 59-52. Morris had 20 points in the first half. The Suns are trying to make their first NBA Finals since 1993. The Clippers have never been this far in the postseason.

The 7-foot Zubac has been an ironman for Los Angeles and this was the first game he's missed for two years. Coach Tyronn Lue admitted the Clippers were down during morning shootaround after hearing that Zubac wouldn't play. Zubac moved into a more prominent role in these Western Conference finals, averaging 12.8 points and 11 rebounds in the first four games. He's also been important on defense as a rim protector. The Clippers went small to replace Zubac in the starting lineup, going with the 6-foot-5 Terance Mann.

Source: spin.ph

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GAME 5 RESULTS

Los Angeles Clippers - 116 vs Phoenix Suns - 102

STANDINGS

Western Conference Finals Series

Phoenix Suns - 3 vs Los Angeles Clippers - 2

Eastern Conference Finals Series

Milwaukee Bucks - 2 vs Atlanta Hawks - 1