NetEase Sports reported on April 17:
The NBA playoffs of the 2022-23 season continue, Los Angeles Clippers Get off to a good start. Although Durant Booker And Craig both scored 20+points, but Leonard had 38 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, Weishao The Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns 115-110 away from home when they hit two free throws and blocked Booker's layup at the crucial moment. The Clippers took a 1-0 lead and won the home court advantage. The second game of the series between the two sides continued to be held in Phoenix.
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Leonard of the Clippers got 38 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, Gordon got 17 points, Powell got 14 points, Zubates got 12 points and 14 rebounds, Plumley got 7 points and 11 rebounds, and Wei Shao got 9 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Durant of the Suns got 27 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists, Booker got 26 points, Craig got 22 points and 4 rebounds, Aton got 18 points and 8 rebounds, and Paul got 7 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
George of the Clippers continued to be absent. The Clippers quickly took a 5-2 lead after the start of the game, Paul responded with three points, and a 6-0 climax made the Suns surpass. Bartum equalled by three points, and Gordon opened fire on the outside after 10, hitting two three-point shots in a row. Leonard turned around and hit the jumper. The Clippers were 18-12 ahead with 5:20 left in the first quarter. Craig responded with three points. Leonard hit a jumper and led the team to another seven points. The Clippers continued to expand their advantage. Bi Yongbo made one of two free throws, Mann returned the free throw, Powell hit a jumper, and the Clippers led 30-18 at the end of the first quarter. Gordon scored 12 points in a single quarter.
Of Powell's three points, Plumley caught the dunk in the air, and the Clippers led by 16 points with 35-19 shortly after the beginning of the second quarter. Durant stood out at this time and got 4 points for free throws. Aton also hit two goals. The Suns stopped the gap from widening. Later in the game, the two teams attacked and defended each other, and the score increased alternately. The Clippers maintained a double-digit advantage. Leonard made two free throws, and they led 57-45 at 1:20 seconds before half time. Durant hit three points, and then hit four free throws for consecutive fouls. He led the team to end the second quarter with a 9-2 counter attack wave, and the Suns were 5 points behind with 54-59.
The Clippers' Gordon scored 14 points in the first half, Leonard 13 points, and Zubbac 10 points and 11 rebounds; Durant of the Suns got 17 points and Booker got 16 points.
Both sides came and went after the beginning of the third quarter. The Clippers withstood the impact of their opponents and kept ahead. Booker scored 4 points with a free throw. Craig hit three goals and contributed 7 points. They led the team to hit a 15-0 counter attack climax. The Suns rebounded 77-68 with 4:40 seconds left in the third quarter. Wei Shao lay up to stop bleeding, Leonard and Plumley scored 4 points, and the Clippers were only 4 points behind. After Durant left the field, the Suns continued to strike the iron, Leonard hit three points, Powell shot in the middle, and the Clippers tied 79. Randall scored in the singles, Mann broke through, and the two teams ended the third quarter with an 81 draw.
Leonard opened the fourth quarter with 3 points, Durant responded with 3 points, Leonard and Powell joined hands with 4 points, and the Clippers led again. Durant and Samet shared 4 points to make up. After 90 and 92, Plumley scored 3 points. Aton and Durant attacked successfully respectively. The Suns led by 1 point with 96-95 points. Leonard and Mann scored 5 points to help the team regain the lead. Craig scored 3 points and the Clippers opened fire from the outside. Leonard scored 2 3-pointers and Gordon also hit 3 points. A 9-4 climax gave them a 109-103 lead of 6 points. Durant's right wing responded with three points, Paul made two free throws, and the Suns reached 108-109.
After the Clippers paused, Leonard, Mann and Weishao missed shots continuously, but the ball still belonged to the Clippers. Wei Shao fouled Booker and hit two free throws. The Clippers led 111-108 with 17.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Suns called two pauses in a row. Booker's breakthrough layup was blocked by Wei Shao. Wei Shao flew outside the baseline and pulled the ball back to hit Booker out of bounds. Paul used foul tactics, Gordon hit two free throws, and the Clippers led by 113-108. Booker broke the layup, Mann dunked, and the Clippers won 115-110.
Clippers' starting lineup: Wei Shao, Gordon, Leonard, Bartum, Zubac
The first team of the Suns: Paul, Booker, Craig, Durant, Aton
