Netease Sports reported on April 21:
The NBA playoffs in the 2022-23 season continued, and the Phoenix Suns regained their home court advantage. although Powell and Weishao 72 points, but Booker 45 points and 7 rebounds, and Durant got 28 points. They led the team to maintain the lead in the fourth quarter. The Suns beat Los Angeles 129-124 in the third game of the first round of the Western Conference Clippers 。 The Suns overcame 2-1 and won the home court advantage. The fourth game of the series between the two teams will be held in Los Angeles.
The Suns' Booker had 45 points and 7 rebounds, Durant had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Craig had 15 points and 4 rebounds, Aton had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Paul had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Powell of the Clippers got 42 points and 5 rebounds, Wei Shao got 30 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists, Heland got 20 points and Mann got 10 points.
In the absence of Leonard of the Clippers, Powell entered the starting line-up. They took the lead 6-0 at home. Booker opened fire and scored 5 points, Craig hit 3 points. They led the team to a 12-0 climax, and the Suns led the way. Zubac and Powell took turns to score and lead the team to recover 6 points to level off. Durant responded with two free throws. Wei Shao and Powell each scored three points, and the Clippers scored another 8 points. Booker scored two goals in a row, and he led the team to play a 9-2 attack wave to regain the lead. Both sides scored some points respectively. Morris scored one of the three points. At the end of the first quarter, the two teams were 27 tied.
Booker scored 5 points to start the second quarter, and Hyland returned with 5 points to equalize. Later in the game, the two teams attacked and defended each other, and the lead changed several times. The Suns suddenly opened fire on the outside. Durant, Paul and Booker scored three points each, and a 9-0 attack wave led them to lead. Powell made efforts to chase 7 points, and Paul broke through to score the buzzer. At the end of the half court, the Suns led by 54-51 by 3 points.
The Suns' Booker had 21 points and 4 rebounds in the first half, and Durant had 14 points; Powell of the Clippers scored 22 points.
Craig scored 5 points with a free throw. He led the team to win 6 points in a row shortly after the beginning of the third quarter. The Suns expanded their advantage. Powell even hit two three-point shots to narrow the gap. Booker and Durant hit back six points. The Suns took a lead of 71-59 at 4:50 in this section. Wei Shao found his hand and got 7 points to narrow the gap, Aton got 6 points for shooting and free throws, Durant also got a dunk, and the Suns continued to maintain a double-digit lead. In the next game, the two sides each played several attacks. Heland chased 5 points and Booker scored a layup. At the end of the three quarters, the Suns led by 94-85 by 9 points.
The Clippers tried to counter attack after the beginning of the last quarter. The Suns quickly counterattacked and kept ahead. Powell and Highland scored another 4 points. The Clippers narrowed the gap to 9 points. Paul hit a jumper, Mann scored 5 points in a row, Booker scored two singles, and the Suns led 111-101. The Clippers tried to counter attack several times later without success, but they did not give up their efforts. Wei Shao and Hailand shared 6 points. They fell behind by 116-119 with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter. Craig hit the key three points, Booker scored three points and the Suns led 125-116. Powell played 3 points to extend his hope, Durant hit two free throws, and the Suns led by 127-120 with 19.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Powell and Highland each got 2 points, which was useless. The Clippers lost 124-129.
The first team of the Suns: Paul, Booker, Craig, Durant, Aton
Clippers' starting lineup: Wei Shao, Gordon, Powell, Bartum, Zubbac
