Suns outlast Clippers to take 31 series lead

Devin Booker scored 25 points before fouling out in the final minute, Chris Paul made clutch free throws and the Phoenix Suns escaped with an 8480 victory over the host Los Angeles Clippers to take a 31 lead in the Western Conference finals.

The Suns can advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993 with one more victory in the series, which resumes Monday night in Phoenix.

The Clippers struggled with poor shooting in all but the third quarter, when they made 10 of 17 shots to pull within three points. They got within one four times in the fourth, but could not take the lead in front of a sellout crowd that hung on every agonizing miss.

Los Angeles shot 32% (27for83) for the game; Phoenix was barely better at 36% (31for86). The Clippers made five 3pointers in the game; the Suns hit four. Deandre Ayton added 19 points and a career playoffhigh 22 rebounds, and Paul had 18 points and seven assists for the Suns.

Paul George had 23 points, 16 rebounds and six assists for the Clippers before fouling out with one second left. Reggie Jackson added 20 points and Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 14 rebounds.

With injured Kawhi Leonard again watching from a suite, the Clippers outscored the Suns 3019 in the third, only to get outscored 1514 in the fourth.

Lakers ownership: Philip Anschutz, the founder of AEG and owner of Staples Center, has agreed to sell his 27% stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter and Todd Boehly, two of the Dodgers’ owners, sources confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.

Sportico first reported the transaction, which valued the Lakers at about $5 billion, putting Walter’s and Boehly’s stake in the NBA franchise owned by the Buss family at $1.35 billion, the largest minority ownership with the team.

Billups to coach Blazers? The Portland Trail Blazers have settled on Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups as their new coach but the deal has not been finalized, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press.

The Athletic reported Friday night that Billups had accepted the job but that contract negotiations were ongoing.

Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP and a fivetime NBA AllStar over a 17year playing career, has never been a head coach.

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Suns guard Devin Booker led all scorers with 25 points in Phoenix’s 8480 win over the Clippers.