Netease Sports reported on April 19:
The NBA playoffs in the 2022-23 season continued, and the Phoenix Suns rebounded and equalled at home. Booker 38 points and 9 assists, and Durant got 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. They led the team in the second half to achieve the goal and establish the victory. The Suns defeated Los Angeles 123-109 at home in the first round of World War II in the western region Clippers 。 The Suns tied the total score to 1. The third game of the series will be transferred to Los Angeles.
The Suns' Booker scored 38 points and 9 assists, Durant scored 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, and Craig scored 17 points, Paul He had 16 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists, and Aton had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Leonard of the Clippers got 31 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, Weishao He had 28 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, Gordon had 12 points, Powell had 12 points and 4 rebounds, and Mann had 10 points.
The Suns had a good start at home, leading the way with 5 points. The Clippers opened fire outside, Wei Shao and Gordon shot three three-point shots, and the Clippers quickly overtook 11-7. Paul and Booker tied by 4 points. Mann hit three points after 15, Leonard and Plumley made three free throws. The Clippers took a 21-17 lead with 3:15 left in the first quarter. Okogi made a three-point hit to catch up, Leonard and Mann each scored three points, and the Clippers ended the first quarter with a 29-24 lead of 5 points.
Shortly after the beginning of the second quarter, Powell scored two goals in a row, and Wei Shao hit three points. The Clippers extended their advantage to 10 points. Durant hit back with a jumper, Wei Shao scored 3 points and Leonard scored 4 points in a row. The Clippers led by 13 points with 49-36 points at 5:30 seconds before halftime. Craig stepped forward and scored two three-point goals in a row to narrow the gap. After that, the two teams scored several points respectively. Durant and Booker teamed up for six points. At 1:40 seconds before half time, the Suns fell behind three points by 54-57. Leonard hit a jumper, Paul hit a midrange shot, and Booker scored three points. At the end of the half, the two teams tied 59 points.
Durant of the Suns got 16 points and 5 rebounds in the first half, Booker got 13 points, and Aton got 12 points and 8 rebounds; The Clippers' Wei Shao had 17 points, and Leonard had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
Booker and Paul joined hands with 6 points to start the third quarter, with the Suns leading the way. After the Clippers paused, Leonard won the singles. Booker and Craig shot three points successively, and the Suns led by 10 points with 71-61. After that, the Clippers failed to chase points for several times, but they did not give up their efforts. Wei Shao and Powell joined hands with 4 points, and they fell behind by 75-79. Craig scored another three points to stabilize the situation. After that, the two teams each played several attacks. Heland made a breakthrough to end the third quarter. The Clippers were 5 points behind by 87-92.
Paul scored two goals in a row. He led the team to 6 points in a row at the beginning of the last quarter. The Suns led by 98-87 with 11 points. Powell's two penalties temporarily stopped the bleeding. Okoge, Durant and Booker successively scored points, and the Suns continued to maintain a double-digit advantage. The Clippers were very tenacious. Leonard and Weishao teamed up for 4 points to approach again. Among Booker's three points, Leonard and Powell made up for another 4 points. The Clippers fell behind by 104-111 with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter. Durant's jump shot stabilized the situation after the Suns paused. Zubac missed two free throws, and Craig hit a running shot. The Suns were 11 points ahead again.
Leonard immediately retaliated with three points, and Wei Shao made two free throws. The Clippers were close again. Paul made a successful mid shot, Wei Shao made a mistake, Aton made a breakthrough and scored, and the Suns led by another 10 points. Wei Shao made another mistake and Paul made a jump shot. The Suns led 121-109 in the fourth quarter with 2 minutes left. The Clippers replaced the main force after failing to attack continuously, and the Suns won 123-109.
Clippers' starting lineup: Wei Shao, Gordon, Leonard, Bartum, Zubac
The first team of the Suns: Paul, Booker, Durant, Craig, Aton
