The Los Angeles Clippers (45-38, 41-42-0 ATS) defeated the Phoenix Suns (45-38, 43-39-1 ATS) 115-110 on Sunday night to begin this series.
Los Angeles has won the last three head-to-head meetings between these clubs, including the final two regular-season meetings. Making it four would be incredible, and they’ll have the opportunity to do so on Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. EST. The second game of the series will be held at Phoenix’s Footprint Center.
Update Injury for Los Angeles Clippers – Phoenix Suns
Kawhi Leonard is well-known for saying, “The board man gets paid,” and his teammates took that to heart in the first game of this series.
While Leonard was outstanding, finishing with 38 points, five rebounds, and five assists, it was the grunt work of the rest of the Los Angeles team that sealed the game. Russell Westbrook, Ivica Zubac, and Mason Plumlee in particular, who combined for 12 offensive rebounds and 25 total.
Leonard provided offensive firepower once more in the upset victory. Few players have been as effective as Leonard over the last month, averaging 24.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his final ten regular-season games.
While George is out due knee injury, Leonard should remain one of the safest DFS options in the playoffs.
Roles shifted slightly when Paul George was not present. Most notably, Russell Westbrook (in theory) became the secondary scorer, finishing with 19 shot attempts, which tied him with Devin Booker for the second most in the game behind Leonard.
Westbrook only shot 3-19 but was crucial to Los Angeles’ victory. He was a force in every other aspect of the game, making big passes, grabbing crucial rebounds, and hounding Phoenix on defense.
The box score may look bad, but if Westbrook continues to play like this and the shots fall, the Clippers will be able to wrap up this series quickly even without Paul George.
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The Suns have now lost three straight games against the Clippers. Overall, they’ve lost three straight games to the city of Los Angeles, finishing the regular season with losses to the Lakers and Clippers before falling to the Clippers in game one.
It’s too early for a team this talented to panic, but they have lofty goals and must act quickly.
The bench will undoubtedly be an issue this postseason as a result of the trade for Kevin Durant. Every player who came off the bench had a negative +/-, and four of them had double digits. Despite the fact that Landry Shamet was the only reserve who saw action for more than eight minutes.
Phoenix’s bench rotation of six players combined for 10 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. They must improve, regardless of how well the starting five perform.
Durant had 27 points (7-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 10-10 FT) in 45 minutes against the Clippers, along with nine rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks, and one steal.
The big-man took a few minutes to warm up, which was to be expected given how little time the Suns have played as a complete team. Durant quickly adjusted, starting with a flurry of mid-range shots before moving out to the perimeter in the second half.
Despite falling short, Durant’s performance is an encouraging sign that the team is finally coming together. Durant, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker should improve as a group once they find a consistent offensive rhythm.
Injury Report Suns:
- Cameron Payne (Back) – Questionable
Injury Report Clippers:
- Paul George (Knee) – Out
