Clippers’ George too much for Suns
Paul George scored 27 points and the host Los Angeles Clippers pulled away in a dominant third quarter, beating newly returned Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns 10692 on Thursday night in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
The Clippers cut their series deficit to 21, ending the Suns’ franchiserecord playoff winning streak at nine games.
“Our guys keep grinding, keep fighting,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We never give in.”
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard remained out with a right knee sprain, leaving George to carry the load again. After missing two crucial free throws in a onepoint loss in Game 2, George had 15 rebounds and eight assists and played a gamehigh 43 minutes. He made 6 of 7 free throws.
“PG did a great job of just moving on and having a great game for us,” Lue said.
The Suns got Paul back after he missed the first two games because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The former Clipper, who was booed heartily during player introductions, had 15 points and 12 assists, but was 5for19 from the field.
Cameron Payne, who so ably filled in for Paul in the first two games, went down with a left ankle injury after playing four minutes and didn’t return.
Suns coach Monty Williams said he played Paul too much in his first game back.
“Probably got tired,” Williams said, “but it hurt us when Cam couldn’t come back so I left Chris out there for a longer stretch and that’s on me.”
Reggie Jackson added 23 points for the Clippers, and Ivica Zubac had 15 points and tied his career playoff high with 16 rebounds.
Game 4 is Saturday night at Staples Center.
After Phoenix won the first two games by a combined seven points, the teams played a close first half. George pumped up the Clippers going into the locker room with a thunderous onehanded dunk.
Pacers hire Carlisle: Indiana hired former Pacers coach Rick Carlisle as head coach to succeed Nate Bjorkgren, who was fired after one season.
“Rick is a proven winner with a championship and will be a Hall of Fame coach,” Indiana general manager Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. “He has demonstrated throughout his career an ability to build something with sustainable success. He has great respect for our franchise and our fans from his previous times here. We are very happy to welcome him back to Indiana.”
Carlisle, 61, is 836689 overall with the Pacers, Pistons and Mavs. He went 555478 and led Dallas to its only NBA championship in 201011.