Russell Westbrook recorded his first triple-double of the season with 16 factors, 15 assists and 15 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied within the fourth quarter to carry off a livid push for what would have been a historic comeback by the host Phoenix Suns in a 105-92 choice on Tuesday.
Los Angeles (51-28) went on first-quarter runs of 9-0, 10-0 and 16-0 to guide by as many as 31 factors within the opening interval. The lead swelled to as many as 37 factors within the second quarter.
Phoenix (46-33) got here storming again with a 24-5 run from the tip of the third quarter into the fourth.
The Suns continued to whittle down the deficit earlier than pulling to inside seven factors halfway by means of the fourth quarter. Having trailed by 37 factors, Phoenix flirted with the most important comeback in NBA historical past – a 36-point rally by Utah towards Denver in November 1996.
Paul George did his half to assist Los Angeles avert touchdown on the flawed aspect of a landmark end, scoring six of his game-high 23 factors and dishing assists to Westbrook and Terance Mann down the stretch.
Twenty-eight of the Clippers’ 41 made subject objectives on 87 makes an attempt have been assisted, together with 5 from George. The 15 assists Westbrook handed for, in addition to his 15 rebounds, have been each season highs for the NBA’s all-time profession chief in triple-doubles.
Mann recorded a double-double within the win with 17 factors and 10 rebounds. Ivica Zubac completed with 17 factors and 13 rebounds.
The win – its fourth in a row – retains Los Angeles two video games forward of Dallas for the No. 4 seed and home-court benefit within the opening-round of the playoffs. The Mavericks routed Charlotte earlier on Tuesday, 130-104.
The loss for Phoenix, coupled with New Orleans’ 110-100 win on Tuesday over Portland, dropped the Suns to seventh place within the West and out of the final assured playoff spot.
Kevin Durant scored 21 factors and Bradley Beal completed with 19 factors within the loss because the Suns shot 8-of-35 from 3-point vary.
The similar two groups meet once more on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
