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Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard dunks during the second half of Thursday’s victory over the Suns at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) passes over a group of Los Angeles Clippers defenders during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul yells out instructions as he dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, dribbles next to Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, tries to dribble around Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) vies for a rebound against Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) holds the ball as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, left, drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) scores over Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, left, falls back while defending on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns looks on trailing after the first quarter to the LA Clippers during a 113-103 Clipper win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, recovers a loose ball in front of Phoenix Suns guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts as he dunks over Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, dunks over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts as he dunks over Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass in front of Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers on the bench on his own during the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts toward an official for a call during the second quarter against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns keeps his dribble in front of Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a jumper in front of Kawhi Leonard #2 and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts as he is fouled by Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during the second quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks to pass in front of Jae Crowder #99 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers attempts to grab a pass between Mikal Bridges #25, Deandre Ayton #22 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Torrey Craig #12 of the Phoenix Suns scores on a layup during the second quarter against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns tips a rebound away from Patrick Patterson #54 of the LA Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers hangs on to the ball as he falls to the court in front of Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers runs uses the screen of Ivica Zubac #40 on Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts reacts to a call after a timeout during the second quarter against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. Beverley was ejected after a fragrant foul on the play. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) pleads with a referee after a foul on Chris Paul, right, by Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. Beverley was ejected for a fragrant foul on the play. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) grabs Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley (21) by the arm after Beverley fouled Suns guard Chris Paul during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. Beverley was ejected for a flagrant foul. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) reacts after making a 3-point basket during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dunks past Mikal Bridges #25, Cameron Johnson #23 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers celebrates his score from a Rajon Rondo #4 pass during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 win over the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns is fouled by Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Rajon Rondo #4 of the LA Clippers fends off Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns from his dribble during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks for the ball in front of Patrick Patterson #54 and Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Mikal Bridges #25 talk during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers is helped up after a foul in front of Dario Saric #20 of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers celebrates a lead with Kawhi Leonard #2 after a tinmeout during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 Clippers win over the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES — Even on Wednesday, immediately after their overtime victory over the Western Conference-leading Utah Jazz, the next night’s opponent had the Phoenix Suns’ undivided, undiluted attention.
That’s because schedule makers mapped it out so the conference’s surprising current No. 2 seed would go to L.A. to face the third-seeded Clippers, a “contending team … complete in every way,” as Suns coach Monty Williams called them.
“We have an appropriate fear of this team,” Williams said. “If you don’t, you’ll get thumped. We know we have to bring – not just an A-game – but we have to be consistent and all areas of the game for us to have a chance with this team.”
The Clippers would reciprocate that level of attention, Coach Tyronn Lue insisted before the two sides locked horns in a testy, chatty contest: “Those guys play hard, they understand their role, they understand what they’re supposed to do every single night.”
On Thursday night, Phoenix (36-15) gave the Clippers (35-18) a game, and a physical one that’s liable to leave some marks. But eventually the hosts – with their leading men keying the late-game charge – wrestled control, winning 113-103 to snap the Suns’ seven-game winning streak and extend their own to three.
Kawhi Leonard got going and brought along his teammates, scoring 14 of his 27 points in the third period as they positioned themselves to pull away with a 19-6 run that gave them their first double-digit lead, 93-83.
And then Paul George slammed the door and bolted it by draining back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead to 103-89 with 4:46 left.
George finished with a game-high 33 points on 12-for-19 shooting, including a 7-for-9 mark from 3-point range, which makes him the first player in franchise history to have at least six 3-pointers and 30 points in consecutive games.
Echoing his play on the court, George said he’s learning to play with the swollen toe bone that’s been dogging him since February.
“It’s kind of managing, but I do feel better,” said George, whose season-high of 39 points came against Phoenix in January, when the Clippers won their first chippy meeting, too. “I’m just adapting to it and I think what helped is just being honest with myself. … I made a conscious decision: If I’ma be on the floor, I’m gonna have to play my game. Can’t think about the toe, can’t think about the foot. The good thing is, medicine’s working and I’m allowed to be out there.”
In his third game playing for the Clippers, veteran guard Rajon Rondo proved quite the catalyst, setting up his teammates with good looks time and again, finishing with a season-high nine assists and 15 points in 19 minutes. He added a bit to the game’s running conversation, as is his nature.
“I love to chat a little bit,” Rondo said. “And they pretty much started it in the first half. So other than that I was just trying to play the game, but sometimes it involves a little bit of chatter.”
Lue suggested that the Clippers’ new point guard might just be scratching the surface.
“Once he is able to bump his minutes up, once he is able to learn the offense in and out – which he knows what we have shown him so far,” Lue said. “Just his basketball IQ, controlling the game, knowing what plays to call, knowing who hasn’t had touch in a while and just being able to deliver the basketball.
“You saw tonight, having nine assists in 20 minutes, that is huge for our team. And getting PG easy shots, getting Kawhi easy shots and that’s what we have to take advantage of.”
Patrick Beverley was ejected for a foul that upended Suns point guard Chris Paul and was, upon review, deemed “unnecessary and excessive.” At that point, with 7:01 left, the Clippers held a 93-85 lead. Marcus Morris Sr. followed suit, getting ejected following his second technical foul 1:24 to play.
Devin Booker – who led the Suns with 24 points – also was assessed a technical foul and a flagrant foul.
“I love it,” Lue said. “When you are competing at a high level against one of the best teams in the league, do what you got to do to win. And I thought our guys were physical, I thought we competed, I thought we fought. Just stayed the course.
“There are going to be games like this where it is going to be chippy. They are fighting for something, we are fighting for something so it is going to happen and I am OK with it.”
Before that, Leonard and Jackson both hit the deck following hard contact. Jackson went to the locker room early in the fourth quarter with an eye injury, and though he returned to the bench he didn’t check back in, although Lue said he was available to, if necessary.
The Clippers finished 18 for 37 from deep, where the Suns struggled, shooting just 6 for 24 from behind the arc. That 3-point disparity helped the Clippers offset Phoenix feasting down low; the Suns outscored L.A. 54-38 in the paint.
After the Suns made 14 of their 17 shot attempts in the second quarter, the Clippers were fortunate to trail only 56-54 at halftime.
George was the only Clipper who had it going in the first half, heading into the break with 18 points after shooting 7 for 11, including 4 for 5 from 3-point range, in 15 minutes. But he also got in foul trouble early with three quick ones.
Leonard had a rough go of it in the opening half, with eight points on 3-for-7 shooting to go with an uncharacteristic four turnovers.
Coming out of intermission, the Suns buffered the lead by as much as seven points, but Leonard’s fully extended slam on Deandre Ayton followed by a skillful foray past Booker by a driven George put the Clippers back ahead, 74-73, with 3:56 left in the third period.
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