NBA Playoff DifferenceMakers: June 30, 2021

What were the key stats and moments in the Phoenix Suns’ series-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Clippers?

Phoenix Suns 130, Los Angeles Clippers 103

Suns win series 4-2

FINAL BOX SCORE

After a lackluster showing in Game 5, the Phoenix Suns understood what needed to be done on Wednesday night. They surely wanted to make sure they didn’t suffer the same fate in these playoffs as the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. Both of those teams, like Phoenix, took a 2-0 lead in their series against the Clippers. Both teams squandered those advantages. After Monday night, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for lightning to strike a third time.

However, the Suns emphatically shut down that talk in Game 6. Phoenix controlled essentially the entire game and only got stronger as the game progressed. In contrast to a team resting on their laurels with a big lead, it felt like the Suns were more aggressive the closer they were to officially winning the West.

The Suns scored 33 points in every quarter except the third, where they “only” had 31. The Clippers led the game for just 11 seconds late in the first quarter. The game was tied 50-50 with 5:05 remaining in the second. From there, the Suns reeled off a 80-57 surge the remainder of the way.

Phoenix’s offense was simply on point, making 20 more field goals than the Clippers. The Suns blitzed the home side 54-34 in the paint, 18-8 in the mid-range, and 51-36 from 3-point range. LA only held a 25-7 advantage from the free throw line.

Chris Paul, now heading to his first finals appearance in his 16-year career, had a game-high 41 points. His statline also includes seven triples, eight assists, and three steals. Paul outdid himself in this game after two so-so performances. His Game 6 point total is more than his 40 points in Games 4 and 5 combined. The same goes for his total field goals made (16 versus 14) and his 3-pointers made (7-of-8 versus 0-of-9). CP3 hadn’t hit a 3 since his two makes in Game 3. I suppose he was making up for those!

Paul’s performance also adds to the “getting stronger as the game went on” theme. Paul had 10 points in the first half, then ramped it up to 12 points in the third quarter and 19(!!) in the fourth. He was the only double-digit scorer in the final frame, and almost beat out the Clippers’ 20 points.

Devin Booker followed up with 22 points and Deandre Ayton produced a 16-point, 17-rebound double-double. Jae Crowder found his shooting rhythm again after going 1-of-10 in Games 4 and 5. He finished with 19 points and was 5-of-9 from 3-point range. It’s the most 3’s he has made since the last time the Suns closed out a series at Staples Center: Game 6 of the first round against the Lakers.

Despite being at home, the Clippers just couldn’t find their flow. Some of this was a more active Suns defense, but in some cases it was good looks that just weren’t falling. Marcus Morris came away as the leading scorer with 26 points. It’s great when Morris has big games, but it’s definitely a sign of trouble if he’s your team’s high point man.

Paul George, the Clippers’ usual scoring leader, had 21 points. That’s his lowest total since his 20 in Game 1 of the semifinals. He produced the total on 6-of-15 (40.0 percent) shooting, including 1-of-6 (16.7 percent) from 3-point range. Reggie Jackson, who normally followed up George in the points column, had 13 to his name in Game 6. That’s his fewest since the four he scored in Game 4 of the semis. Jackson shot 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) from the field in this game and 2-of-7 (28.6 percent) from distance.

The Clippers should be commended for their resilience in these playoffs. This cast turned a lot of heads and changed a lot of minds about how they are perceived on a collective and individual level. Unfortunately, the third time wasn’t the charm for LA. This squad has the pieces to find themselves back in this place, so it will be interesting to see how they tackle the offseason.

But in the end, the well-rounded and thankfully healthy Phoenix Suns are heading to the NBA Finals for the third time in franchise history. They will have plenty of time to rest, as the Eastern Conference Finals have at least two more games to go. In the interim, they can bask in their success after an arduous journey through the Western Conference bracket. Congratulations to the 2021 Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns!!