The Clippers secured their playoff spot on Tuesday with a triple-double from Russell Westbrook, avoiding the NBA’s play-in tournament. They defeated the Phoenix Suns 105-92, guaranteeing a spot in the top five in the Western Conference rankings.
All of that shouldn’t be shocking because the Los Angeles Clippers have placed among the top 5 in the regular-season rankings nine times in the previous twelve seasons, and it would have taken an incredible collapse in the last week of the season for them not to do so.
They have just ever advanced to the conference final in team history; hence, they haven’t had a sustained playoff run. Thus, Tuesday’s victory is only the beginning of a well-known road that will only become more difficult as it goes on.
The Suns, battling to avoid participating in the Western Conference play-in round, had a humiliating first performance. With 6:45 remaining, a free shot by Bradley Beal gave them a chance to tie the score at 91-84, but they could not move any closer.
Los Angeles Clippers Avoided the Play-In Tournament After This Win
Los Angeles Clippers have won seven out of eight games and four in a row. In the second meeting of the home-and-home series, they will host the Suns on Wednesday. With 23 points and 13 rebounds, Paul George led Los Angeles, followed by Ivica Zubac with 17 points, as per the NBA website. Each of the five starters scored ten or more points.
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With 21 points, Kevin Durant led the Suns, while Beal finished with 19. Booker ended with twelve points, making only one of his eleven field goals. In the second, the Clippers extended their lead. Los Angeles led 51-14 at one point, their most significant game lead, thanks to a 3-pointer by Bones Hyland. At the half, Los Angeles led 66-33.
Tuesday’s Los Angeles Clippers were undoubtedly focused from the outset, jumping out to a 17-point lead in the first 4 1/2 minutes and not looking back until midway through the fourth quarter, when a string of second-half blunders allowed Phoenix to cut the advantage to seven points.
