The Clippers defeat the Phoenix Suns 106-92 in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals with an impressive performance Thursday.
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The Los Angeles Clippers have overcome 2-0 deficits twice already this postseason. On Thursday, they took the first step toward doing it for a third time. After falling behind in the first half, the Clippers erupted in the second to win Game 3, 106-92. They now have a chance to level the series in Game 4 on Saturday.
Paul George led the charge for Clippers with 27 points. But it was Reggie Jackson who sealed the win with an incredible fourth quarter. He finished the game with 23 points to help make this a 2-1 series. Meanwhile, for the Suns, the return of Chris Paul didn’t work. Paul and Devin Booker shot a dreadful 10 of 40 combined from the field. The Suns hadn’t lost a game since May 27, a staggering nine-game winning streak as they ran over the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and the first two games against the Clippers.
After tonight’s W.. The @LAClippers are the first team in @NBAHistory to win three Game 3s after trailing 0-2 in a single #NBAPlayoffs!
They’ll look to improve to 3-0 in Game 4s on Saturday at 9 PM ET on ESPN. #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/7eAtocIuOl
— NBA (@NBA) June 25, 2021
Clippers clinched Game 3, avoiding an unmountable 3-0 hole. On Sunday, they will be looking to level the series at two games apiece.
After putting up dominating performances in the first two games, when you heard Chris Paul was available to play, you would favour the Suns to win Game three as well. Phoenix won both games at home without Chris Paul because Devin Booker showed his class in Game one. Cameron Payne played the game of his life in Game two.
Paul returned to the lineup, but His conditioning and rhythm seemed affected by the layoff. Payne left the game in the first half with an ankle injury. It’s unclear just how severe that injury will turn out to be. But, his absence put even more of a burden on Paul and Booker.
Had Payne been healthy, Paul and Booker could have gotten more rest or taken fewer shots. This season’s playoffs have been defined by luck on all sides. The Suns are the healthiest team left in the playoffs; they’ll have to overcome this.
Ivica Zubac played only 10.9 minutes per game for the Clippers as a backup. In game 3, he played 33 minutes, scoring 15 points and pulled in 16 rebounds, but most importantly, he helped hold Phoenix to only 42 points in the paint through excellent pick-and-roll defense.
PG continues his stellar #NBAPlayoffs.
? 27 PTS
? 15 REB
? 8 ASTThe @LAClippers take Game 3.. they can tie the series with a W Saturday at 9pm/et on ESPN! #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/aU6Ijot13V
— NBA (@NBA) June 25, 2021
Reggie Jackson has become Clippers’ second-best player since Leonard went down. He is a legitimate starting-calibre player who they signed last offseason. The Clippers will obviously hope Kawhi returns this series, but even if he doesn’t, Jackson has given them enough shot creation to survive offensively.
