2024-01-09 15:04:20
LOS ANGELES – The Phoenix Suns had their Big 3 for this one, but it didn’t matter.
The Los Angeles Clippers are a major problem for them.
Now, the Suns can score, but have shown in two games they can’t stop the Clippers, with the latest example coming in Monday’s 138-111 disaster before a sellout crowd of 19,370 at Cyrpto.com Arena.
This is less than a week following losing, 131-122, to the Clippers in Phoenix.
They had a week to figure it out — and embarrassingly didn’t in suffering their worst margin of defeat of the season.
The Clippers shot an insane 62.4% from the field, going 15-of-29 from 3 Monday following torching Phoenix last week with 55.3% shooting overall, 52.9% from 3.
It was a back-to-back for both teams, but the Clippers overwhelmed the Suns on both ends. They not only cooked on offense, but forced 14 turnovers and turned them into 24 points.
Outplayed. Outworked. The Suns are out of the Clippers’ league right now.
Phoenix (19-18) didn’t have Kevin Durant for the first matchup, but he played in Monday’s rematch, his second game back from a right hamstring strain. Durant scored 30 points in 35 minutes on 10-of-17 shooting, but the Clippers once once more showed that right now, they have the better and more cohesive team.
The Suns once once more crumbled in the fourth quarter just a day following sub. 500 Memphis outscored them, 35-18, in the final 12 minutes of a 121-115 loss without its best player, injured Ja Morant.
The Clippers took it to the Suns in the fourth to a 37-20 scoring margin. This is following the Clippers took Kawhi Leonard out of the game with 7:01 remaining in the fourth, Paul George with 5:12 left, and James Harden with 4:38 remaining in the game.
George paced the Clippers (23-13) with 25 points, Harden went for a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists while Leonard added 17 points and five steals.
Devin Booker scored 20 points for Phoenix, but had another high turnover game of six for the Suns while Beal added 15 points as this was the sixth game for the Big 3. Phoenix is 2-4 in those games.
Here’s what we learned as the Suns have now lost three of their last four games following a four-game winning streak.
What’s the problem?
The Suns simply aren’t handling the individual matchups once morest Leonard, Harden and George as they combined to shoot 24-of-42 from the field. Because of that, the Clippers make them pay with open looks because they force the Suns, who are below average in guarding the ball, to help.
There are times when Leonard, Harden and George just make tough shots. Deep 3s. Pullups. They’re not just cake walking for baskets for 48 minutes, but for the most part, the Clippers are getting pretty much any shot they want once morest Phoenix.
When the Suns do cut off the driving lane, Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann and Norman Powell get open looks from inside and outside off feeds from Harden, James and Leonard.
That’s the start of Phoenix’s problems once morest the Clippers.
Clippers a horrible matchup for Suns
The Clippers seemed to target Grayson Allen, but what they also do is get switches and Zubac ends up being guarded by a smaller defender. He’s not Joel Embiid inside, but Zubac can score over a smaller man with that jump hook. He finished with 19 points on 8-of-9 shots from point blank range and eight rebounds.
Then there’s Russell Westbrook, who is able to enter the game, be himself as far as going one-on-one and pushing tempo. He creates opportunities for himself and teammates by just being himself.
If that’s not enough, Powell comes in, makes winning plays and hits 3s. Went for 13 off the bench, hitting 3-of-5 from 3 on Monday.
Lastly, Clippers coach Ty Lue can flat out coach and is winning the coaching battle once morest Frank Vogel.
In short, Clippers are a horrible matchup for the Suns right now.
Horrible.
They don’t play each other once more until April 9-10 in a home-away back-to-back.
The Suns will be in one of three places — improved, far more cohesive and a top four team in the West, the same squad that’s hovering just above .500 or worse and staring at the play-in tournament.
They’ll need to be far better and force the Clippers to adjust, not the other way around, to beat them.
Fourth quarter flop — once more
The Suns were only down seven points with most of the fourth left to play when the following happened.
Durant turnover (Leonard steal). Powell follow up dunk. Suns down 103-94 with 10:33 remaining.
Beal turnover (Leonard steal). Eric Gordon called for defensive three seconds. Harden hits free throw, then a 3 to give the Clippers a four-point possession and 109-96 lead with 9:23 left.
Booker turnover (Leonard steal). Daniel Theis follow dunk. Suns trail 111-96.
Timeout Suns with 8:46 left in the game.
This is their Big 3 being loose with the ball at a time in the game when they’re supposed to close the show. Granted they’ve been carrying the load offensively, but the way this roster is constructed, much is required of them — unless they can consistently play as a team and get help from everyone else, including the coaches.
Injury update: Bol, Little out
Eric Gordon and Durant were upgraded from probable to available before Monday’s game, but Udoka Azubuike was downgraded from doubtful to out with a general illness.
Azubuike has been listed inactive in recent games largely due to him being a two-way contract player. With the Suns having three two-way players, they must spread out over a certain number of games.
Bol Bol (right ankle sprain), Nassir Little (left knee tendinitis) and Damion Lee (knee) all missed Monday’s game. Lee has been out all season, but he made the trip to Los Angeles as did Bol and Little.
Up next: Lakers in Los Angeles
The Suns continue their three-game road trip Thursday once morest the Lakers (18-19), who are 3-0 once morest them this season.
The Lakers are coming off a 106-103 victory Sunday over the Clippers as LeBron James had 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while Anthony Davis posted a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers face the Raptors at home Tuesday before facing the Suns.
Davis has been a problem for the Suns.
In the three games this season, he’s averaging 25 points and 12.7 rebounds with 5.3 coming on the offensive glass.
The Suns and Lakers will play each other five times this season, as one was in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals. Their final matchup is Feb. 25 in Phoenix.
Have opinions regarding the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.
1704835876
#Clippers #bad #matchup #Suns #Big #Booker #Durant #Beal
