![]() ![]() "It's just that it hit different because it's playoffs." "That's Devin, that's Devin," said Suns big Deandre Ayton, who posted a fourth straight double-double in this series with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona RepublicĪfter his first 3 bounced around the rim and in, Booker held the pose on the second one that was cash. He’s quick and dribbles around, it’s just tough for us."Phoenix, AZ, USA Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) makes a 3-pointer over LA Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) in the second half at Footprint Center. We tried to fire and we couldn’t get our fires. We tried blitz, we couldn’t get him blitzes. "Booker was tough all series,' said Lue as Booker averaged 37.2 points on 60.2% shooting (46.7% from 3) in this series. With the game tied at 86-86 in the third, Booker hit a jumper and back-to-back 3s for a personal 8-0 burst to break the tie and force Clippers' coach Ty Lue to call a timeout with 3:44 left in the third. ”īefore that wacky finish, Booker put on a show in the third. In the fourth quarter we got stops when we needed to. We opened up a lot of stuff there in the second half. "Denying me out, not leaving my body when I am spacing out. "They was playing the exact same way they were playing the whole series," Durant said. #NBAPlayoffs /aBJPFkSYYhĭurant finished with 31 points with only six in the fourth as he took just two shots in the quarter, making both. Monty Williams on #Clippers near comeback in #Suns Game 5 closeout win. Then after the Suns turned the ball over, Josh Okogie forced a turnover on Norman Powell, Chris Paul retrieved the ball and found Durant for a transition layup to give Phoenix a 134-130 lead with 58.8 seconds. Nicolas Batum had a chance to give the Clippers the lead, but missed a 3 with 1:18 left. Keep playing all the way until the whistle blows." "I think it's a good lesson for us moving forward," Booker said. The Suns appeared to be heading to a comfortable closeout win, especially after Booker’s explosive third, but the Clippers cut a 20-point Suns lead early in the fourth down to two twice within the last two minutes that had a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Footprint Center standing in near silence. This is what everything is for so when you get going like that, you just want to play."ĭenver won Game 5 over Minnesota, 112-109, as Anthony Edwards missed a 3 at the buzzer. Some of the shots he was making, but when you're in the playoffs, this is what you train for. ![]() "I was out at the end of the third and I was like, man, that's tough. "It damn sure looked like it," Suns point guard Chris Paul about Booker outscoring the Clippers in the third. Outscoring the Clippers by himself in the third, 25-24, Booker had a stretch in which he scored 14 of Phoenix’s 25 points in the final 4:34 of the quarter. The fourth-seeded Suns will begin their conference semifinals series Saturday at Denver against the Nuggets, the No. His defensive efforts are one of the bright spots for the Suns, as it has helped them become the top team in the Western Conference.Kevin Durant on Devin Booker's 25-point 3rd quarter in #Suns Game 5 win over #ClipperNation to close out series. Looking at the team’s advanced stats, the Suns’ scorer is second in defensive win shares with 0.7. This season, he looks more reliable and poised as a defender. Earlier in his career, teams often targeted Booker for his inability to defend at a high level. He’s exhibited his improvement on the defensive end as well. Booker’s ability to draw defenses has created more chances for his teammates to enhance their scoring. ![]() Bridges went from scoring 14.2 last season to 16.2 this season. One player that benefited from Booker’s play is Mikal Bridges, who’s increased his offensive production this season. It may not seem much on paper, but Booker’s value on the court has created plenty of opportunities for his teammates. His aggressiveness on the floor has made him a difficult player to stop. ![]() Booker is also second on the team when it comes to scoring points in the paint, generating 8.8 a game. He’s currently averaging 27.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists and 46% from the field and 36% from the three. ![]()
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