All-Star George, Mann lead Clippers past Suns 116-107
PHOENIX — Paul George and Terance Mann each scored 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns 116107 on Thursday night in the final NBA game before the All-Star break.
Kahwi Leonard added 16 points, all in the second half, and nine rebounds. Ivica Zubac and Eric Gordon each scored 13 points and Zubac had 12 rebounds.
The Clippers go into the break with wins in their last two games as they adjust to a new lineup rotation. Recent acquisitions Gordon, Bones Hyland and Mason Plumlee all played important roles in the victory. They combined for 30 points and 10 rebounds and were a collective 11 for 11 from the foul line.
“The new guys came in and just plugged right in as if we started the season,” George said. “We played great team basketball. We shared it and got stops as we needed to.
“We got everything we need. We just have to bring that all together and find an identity that can carry us.”
Leonard missed all eight of his shots in the first half but was 5 of 10 after that and made all six of his freethrow tries.
“I just made shots,” Leonard
said abut the difference. “You just gotta keep pushing.”
The Suns missed nine of their first 10 3-point attempts, with only Josh Okogie warming up later in the game. Okogie led Phoenix with 24 points. He was 6 of 12 from behind the arc, but the rest of the Suns made five combined.
“It feels good without having to look over your shoulder when you mess up,” said Okogie, whose recent performances have put him in the running to join Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton in Phoenix’s starting lineup when Durant returns from a knee injury.
“Coach (Monty Williams) told me, ‘I don’t care if you miss eight in a row. I won’t take you out for missing but I will take you out for not shooting.’ ”
Booker had 19 points and nine assists for Phoenix. Ayton scored 18 points and newcomer Terrance Ross had 16 points. Booker was 1 of 6 from 3-point range, but tied Steve Nash’s franchise record with 1,051 3s.
Paul had 11 assists, two nights after having a season-high 19 against Sacramento.
The Clippers have scored 100 or more points in 20 of their last 21 games.