Clippers fight back in Game 3 to defeat Suns 106-92

Paul George tallied 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists and Reggie Jackson added 23 points as the Los Angeles Clippers responded in Game 3 to defeat the Phoenix Suns and cut the series deficit to 2-1. Deandre Ayton led the Suns with 18 points and nine rebounds. Devin Booker and Chris Paul had 15 points each, but combined to go 10-40 from the floor.

The Clippers covered the spread at -1.5. The under hit at 219.5.

Both teams kept it close for much of the first half before the Clippers made a big push in the third quarter. Phoenix took a 53-50 lead on Mikal Bridges’ traditional three-point play, but Terance Mann and Ivica Zubac helped ignite a 21-3 Los Angeles run to help the Clippers eventually take a 80-69 lead into the final period.

The Suns made a valiant attempt to come back and went on a 12-0 run midway through the quarter to close the gap to 89-83, but Jackson scored five quick points to put the Clippers up for good. Los Angeles was +8 at the free throw line in the game, with Zubac making nine of his 10 attempts and George adding six points on seven shots. The Clippers also hit two more three-pointers than the Suns.

Booker went with a facemask to protect himself after suffering a nose injury in Game 2, but did not perform well. Despite growing comparisons to Kobe Bryant, Booker couldn’t quite replicate the Mamba’s performances in a mask. The Suns guard shot 5-21 from the floor and committed four turnovers.

Game 4 is Saturday in Los Angeles at 9:00 PM ET.