DeAndre Ayton’s game-winning dunk lifts Suns past Clippers
MANILA – DeAndre Ayton scored on a game-winning dunk with 0.7 seconds remaining as the Phoenix Suns earned a 104-103 Game 2 win over Los Angeles Clippers during their Western Conference finals on Tuesday at the Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Trailing 103-102 with 0.9 seconds remaining, Ayton converted on an alley-oop dunk from an inbound pass by Jae Crowder with a second left to surge the Suns ahead and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Cameron Payne top-scored with career-high 29 points to go with nine assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Ayton posted a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns.
Devin Booker tallied 20 points but shot only five of his 16 field goal attempts. Dario Saric and Cameron Johnson recorded 11 points each for Phoenix.
The Suns moved two wins closer to their first-ever NBA Finals stint despite missing the services of Chris Paul due to coronavirus disease 2019.
Holding to a slim 48- 47 advantage at the half, the Suns struggle in the third period, with the Clippers having a 51-48 lead on back-to-back baskets by Reggie Jackson and Paul George.
However, consecutive hits from Payne and Ayton allowed
Phoenix to grab a 63-54 lead, but Los Angeles rallied to establish a 71-75 deficit.
The Suns increased the lead anew to 88- 82 in the fourth period via free throws from Booker and layups by Payne, prompting the Clippers to rally again and come to within 90-93.
A triple by Mikal Bridges and layups by Ayton and Payne secured Phoenix a 100-95 lead, but six straight points by George gave a 103-102 advantage to the Clippers with 30 seconds remaining.
George got a chance to seal the victory for the Clippers but fumbled on his two free-throw attempts. Bridges misfired his triple try for the Suns. He, however, managed to get the ball back, which led to Ayton’s game-winnin dunk.
George finished the match with 26 points, while Jackson and Ivica Zubac contributed 19 and 14 markers, respectively, for the Clippers. PHOENIX 104 – Payne 29,
BOX SCORE: Ayton 24, Booker 20, Johnson 11, Saric 11, Bridges 5, Crowder 2, Moore 2, Craig 0.
LOS ANGELES 103 – George 26, Jackson 19, Zubac 14, Kennard 10, Rondo 8, Mann 8, Morris 7, Beverley 6, Batum 3, Cousins 2. 25-22, 48-47, 75-71, 104-
QUARTERSCORES: 103./
PN