The Phoenix Suns won 129-124 in Game 3 of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Western Conference against the Los Angeles Clippers held on the 21st (Korean time) at the Los Angeles Crypto.com Arena in California, USA. Phoenix, who succeeded in winning two in a row, recorded a series record of 2 wins and 1 loss.
Devin Booker (45 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) showed off his explosive power, and Kevin Durant (28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) also stood out. Deandre Ayton (12 points, 11 rebounds) also recorded a double-double and contributed to the team’s victory.
On the other hand, the Clippers struggled with Norman Powell (42 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) and Russell Westbrook (30 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists), but they could not overcome the gap left by Kawhi Leonard following Paul George.
Phoenix, who finished the first quarter 27-27, took a lead in the second quarter. Booker scored five points in a row, and even Chris Paul’s long-range shot and Ayton’s goal. Afterwards, it was a moment of crisis by giving away 3-point shots to Powell and Westbrook, starting with Durant, and Paul and Booker’s 3-point shots cut the rim in succession and put a counterfire. Phoenix added Paul’s breakout goal at the end of the quarter and ended the first half with a score of 54-51.
In the third quarter, Phoenix widened the score gap. Booker scored 13 points, and Toray Craig hit a corner 3-pointer. Durant and Ayton also scored. Phoenix allowed Westbrook to score consecutively, but maintained the atmosphere by cutting the rim to Damien Lee’s 3-point shot. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 94-85, Phoenix leading. 스포츠토토
Even in the fourth quarter, Phoenix maintained its concentration. Phoenix, which started happily with Lee’s 3-point shot, faced a crisis right away. Powell and Bonds Highland allowed consecutive goals, and Terrence Man also gave up a 3-point shot. However, Booker’s five consecutive points put out the urgent fire, and Craig’s three-point shot broke the Clippers’ will to pursue and ended the game with a victory.