Clippers beat up on Suns again, win 121-111
PHOENIX (AP) Marcin Gortat figures he is the beneficiary of coach Doc Rivers' New Year's resolution.
Gortat had not played in the fourth quarter in the first 36 games of the season until the calendar turned, and he responded with his first double-double of the season when the Clippers extended their dominance of the Phoenix Suns with a 121-111 victory Friday night.
''You never know with Doc,'' Gortat said after getting 18 points and 13 rebounds in 25 minutes.
''You just have to be ready. You earn your minutes. Obviously if you play well, you might earn a few more minutes. That's all I'm trying to do, help the team to win.''
Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams scored 21 points apiece and four other Clippers finished in double figures as they won their third straight against the Suns this season and their 11th straight in the series.
Patrick Beverley scored 16 points for the Clippers, who led by 29 points in the second quarter. Beverley made four 3-pointers, Williams had three and Tobias Harris added two with his 16 points. Montrezl Harrell scored 15.
''I loved how we started the game,'' Rivers said. ''The way we can score, if we defend, it's hard for anyone to beat us.''
Devin Booker scored 23 points and T.J. Warren had 20 for the Suns, who lost their fifth straight.
The Suns, down by 30 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter, used 22-5 run fueled by seven points from Jamal Crawford and six by Josh Jackson to close to 91-78 entering the fourth quarter.
Mikal Bridges' slam on the first possession of the period brought the Suns within 11, but Williams made two 3-pointers and a three-point play as the Clippers again pulled away.
''We understand (Phoenix) is a young team,'' Williams said. ''They are putting pieces together, trying to figure out their identity. So we just come in and play hard.''
The Clippers shot 51 percent from the field and held a 43-25 rebounding edge. Los Angeles outrebounded the Suns by 42 in the three meetings this season.
''We don't have stupid great rebounders on this team,'' Gortat said. ''Everybody has to rebound. We have to box out, hit somebody.
''Make sure we are the guys who are hitting first. Then go get the ball. We have to make them miss and get the ball. Not every game is going to look that way, but today it worked perfectly.
Reserves Richaun Holmes and Crawford had 16 points apiece for the Suns.
Suns center Deandre Ayton had four points, tying a season low set in the first game against the Clippers on Nov. 28. He had three field goal attempts, five rebounds, three assists and four turnovers.
''You know (coach) Larry Brown used to say, `You need the touches, you go get it,''' Suns coach Igor Kokoskov said.
''(Three) touches? It's on all of us.''
The Suns fell behind early, a problem in their last several starts. Harris and Williams made two 3-pointers apiece in the first quarter, when the Clippers shot 71.4 percent and finished on a 23-6 run for a 38-19 edge.
The Clippers led 63-34 on Gallinari's first 3-pointer with 4 minutes left in the half. It was 68-44 at halftime.
Phoenix trailed Philadelphia by 22 points after 16 minutes of its 132-127 loss on Wednesday and was down by 17 at halftime of a 132-109 loss to Golden State on New Year's Eve.
TIP-INS
Clippers: The Clippers play six of their next seven games at home, only away for an over-night trip to Denver on Jan. 10. ... Boban Marjanovic, one of three Clippers to have a double-double against the Suns on Nov. 28, did not play.
Suns: Ayton had double-doubles in nine of his previous 11 games, and he had nine rebounds in the other game in that stretch. ... The Suns are 5-16 at home. Only New York (4-12) has fewer home victories. ... Booker has seven 35-point games, tied for third in the league behind James Harden (15) and Stephen Curry (eight).
BIG BENCH
The Clippers' reserves had 61 points. They entered the game averaging a league-high 52.4 Williams and Harrell have not started a game this season, and Beverley flip-flopped with Avery Bradley on Nov. 20.
All average at least 25 minutes a game, and Williams (18.2) and Harrell (15.7) are the Clippers' third- and fourth-leading scorers.
''`Trez' could start, we know that. Lou could start,'' Rivers said. ''The fact that they are OK coming off the bench is the first key. I do think it takes a special mindset for a guy to want to do that and then guys who accept to do that. We have that.''
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host Orlando on Sunday.
Suns: Host Charlotte on Sunday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00 | Jumpball | |||
11:40 | +2 | Marcin Gortat made jump shot, assist by Tobias Harris | 2-0 | |
11:18 | +3 | De'Anthony Melton made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Deandre Ayton | 2-3 | |
11:04 | Out of bounds turnover on Marcin Gortat | |||
10:40 | +2 | Devin Booker made finger-roll layup | 2-5 | |
10:19 | +2 | Danilo Gallinari made driving dunk, assist by Avery Bradley | 4-5 | |
9:59 | Personal foul on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | |||
9:45 | Mikal Bridges missed floating jump shot | |||
9:40 | Defensive rebound by Marcin Gortat | |||
9:37 | Avery Bradley missed jump shot | |||
9:33 | Offensive rebound by Marcin Gortat | |||
9:31 | Marcin Gortat missed driving layup | |||
9:31 | LAC team rebound | |||
9:29 | +2 | Tobias Harris made jump shot, assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 6-5 | |
9:14 | Personal foul on Marcin Gortat | |||
9:10 | +2 | De'Anthony Melton made finger-roll layup | 6-7 | |
8:55 | +2 | Danilo Gallinari made jump shot, assist by Marcin Gortat | 8-7 | |
8:36 | +2 | Deandre Ayton made dunk, assist by Mikal Bridges | 8-9 | |
8:28 | Lost ball turnover on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, stolen by De'Anthony Melton | |||
8:22 | +2 | Devin Booker made layup, assist by De'Anthony Melton | 8-11 | |
8:09 | Personal foul on Devin Booker | |||
8:01 | Personal foul on T.J. Warren | |||
7:59 | Out of bounds turnover on Marcin Gortat | |||
7:46 | Traveling violation turnover on Deandre Ayton | |||
7:29 | Defensive rebound by Deandre Ayton | |||
7:11 | +3 | Tobias Harris made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 11-11 | |
6:48 | Defensive rebound by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | |||
6:45 | +2 | Tobias Harris made dunk, assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 13-11 | |
6:30 | Bad pass turnover on T.J. Warren, stolen by Tobias Harris | |||
6:27 | Out of bounds turnover on Tobias Harris | |||
6:15 | +2 | Devin Booker made running Jump Shot | 13-13 | |
6:00 | +2 | Avery Bradley made jump shot, assist by Danilo Gallinari | 15-13 | |
5:47 | Personal foul on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | |||
5:37 | Personal foul on Tobias Harris | |||
5:26 | Offensive rebound by Deandre Ayton | |||
5:24 | Offensive foul on T.J. Warren | |||
5:24 | Offensive foul on T.J. Warren | |||
5:03 | +2 | Tobias Harris made driving layup | 17-13 | |
4:54 | T.J. Warren missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
4:51 | Defensive rebound by Marcin Gortat | |||
4:46 | Bad pass turnover on Tobias Harris, stolen by T.J. Warren | |||
4:41 | De'Anthony Melton missed floating jump shot | |||
4:38 | Defensive rebound by Marcin Gortat | |||
4:34 | +2 | Danilo Gallinari made layup, assist by Avery Bradley | 19-13 | |
4:13 | +2 | T.J. Warren made floating jump shot, assist by Mikal Bridges | 19-15 | |
4:04 | Unsportsmanlike technical foul | |||
4:04 | +1 | Danilo Gallinari made free throw | 20-15 | |
3:58 | Tobias Harris missed jump shot | |||
3:56 | PHO team rebound | |||
3:38 | T.J. Warren missed turnaround jump shot | |||
3:36 | Defensive rebound by Marcin Gortat | |||
3:27 | +2 | Marcin Gortat made layup, assist by Patrick Beverley | 22-15 | |
3:20 | T.J. Warren missed layup, blocked by Patrick Beverley | |||
3:17 | Defensive rebound by Patrick Beverley | |||
3:13 | Tobias Harris missed jump shot | |||
3:12 | Offensive rebound by Tobias Harris | |||
3:12 | +2 | Tobias Harris made dunk | 24-15 | |
3:00 | Kelly Oubre Jr. missed layup, blocked by Tobias Harris | |||
2:57 | Defensive rebound by Patrick Beverley | |||
2:34 | +3 | Tobias Harris made 3-pt. jump shot | 27-15 | |
2:17 | Bad pass turnover on Richaun Holmes, stolen by Tobias Harris | |||
2:04 | +3 | Lou Williams made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Danilo Gallinari | 30-15 | |
1:40 | +3 | Kelly Oubre Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Elie Okobo | 30-18 | |
1:31 | Shooting foul on Elie Okobo | |||
1:31 | +1 | Lou Williams made 1st of 2 free throws | 31-18 | |
1:31 | +1 | Lou Williams made 2nd of 2 free throws | 32-18 | |
1:11 | Offensive rebound by Josh Jackson | |||
1:10 | Elie Okobo missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
1:06 | Offensive rebound by Richaun Holmes | |||
1:04 | Shooting foul on Montrezl Harrell | |||
1:04 | Richaun Holmes missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
1:04 | +1 | Richaun Holmes made 2nd of 2 free throws | 32-19 | |
0:52 | PHO team rebound | |||
0:40 | Josh Jackson missed jump shot | |||
0:32 | +3 | Lou Williams made 3-pt. jump shot | 35-19 | |
0:13 | Jamal Crawford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
0:09 | Defensive rebound by Mike Scott | |||
0:03 | +3 | Patrick Beverley made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Mike Scott | 38-19 | |
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
11:46 | Kelly Oubre Jr. missed driving layup, blocked by Tyrone Wallace | |||
11:46 | PHO team rebound | |||
11:31 | Defensive rebound by Tyrone Wallace | |||
11:26 | +2 | Montrezl Harrell made layup, assist by Tyrone Wallace | 40-19 | |
11:08 | +3 | Kelly Oubre Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot | 40-22 | |
10:38 | +2 | Josh Jackson made layup, assist by Richaun Holmes | 42-24 | |
10:29 | +3 | Patrick Beverley made 3-pt. jump shot | 45-24 | |
10:11 | Jamal Crawford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
10:07 | Offensive rebound by Elie Okobo | |||
9:56 | +2 | Josh Jackson made layup | 45-26 | |
9:31 | Patrick Beverley missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
9:28 | Offensive rebound by Tyrone Wallace | |||
9:24 | Shooting foul on Elie Okobo | |||
9:24 | +1 | Lou Williams made 1st of 2 free throws | 46-26 | |
9:24 | Lou Williams missed 2nd of 2 free throws | |||
9:20 | Defensive rebound by Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
9:17 | Personal foul on Patrick Beverley | |||
9:12 | Richaun Holmes missed floating jump shot | |||
9:09 | Defensive rebound by Mike Scott | |||
9:05 | +2 | Tyrone Wallace made layup, assist by Patrick Beverley | 48-26 | |
8:53 | Jamal Crawford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
8:49 | Defensive rebound by Mike Scott | |||
8:35 | +2 | Tyrone Wallace made jump shot, assist by Patrick Beverley | 50-26 | |
8:23 | Devin Booker missed jump shot | |||
8:20 | Defensive rebound by Montrezl Harrell | |||
8:13 | Personal foul on Mikal Bridges | |||
8:04 | Montrezl Harrell missed layup, blocked by Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
8:04 | LAC team rebound | |||
7:56 | Lou Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
7:54 | Defensive rebound by Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
7:43 | Personal foul on Mike Scott | |||
7:32 | +2 | Jamal Crawford made jump shot | 50-28 | |
7:11 | +2 | Tyrone Wallace made jump shot | 52-28 | |
6:55 | Defensive rebound by Tyrone Wallace | |||
6:47 | Shooting foul on Devin Booker | |||
6:47 | Mike Scott missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
6:47 | LAC team rebound | |||
6:35 | Lost ball turnover on Devin Booker, stolen by Montrezl Harrell | |||
6:31 | Montrezl Harrell missed dunk | |||
6:33 | Offensive rebound by Patrick Beverley | |||
6:33 | +2 | Patrick Beverley made dunk | 55-28 | |
6:27 | Personal foul on Tyrone Wallace | |||
6:26 | Personal foul on Avery Bradley | |||
6:15 | +3 | Mikal Bridges made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Deandre Ayton | 55-31 | |
6:04 | Lou Williams missed jump shot | |||
6:01 | Defensive rebound by Deandre Ayton | |||
5:56 | +2 | Mikal Bridges made layup, assist by Jamal Crawford | 55-33 | |
5:56 | Full timeout called | |||
5:40 | +2 | Montrezl Harrell made layup, assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 57-33 | |
5:40 | Shooting foul on Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
5:25 | Devin Booker missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
5:23 | LAC team rebound | |||
5:09 | Backcourt turnover on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | |||
5:01 | Shooting foul on Avery Bradley | |||
5:01 | Devin Booker missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
5:01 | PHO team rebound | |||
5:01 | +1 | Devin Booker made 2nd of 2 free throws | 58-34 | |
4:45 | Avery Bradley missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
4:42 | Offensive rebound by Marcin Gortat | |||
4:38 | +2 | Marcin Gortat made dunk, assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 60-34 | |
4:20 | Bad pass turnover on Devin Booker, stolen by Danilo Gallinari | |||
4:15 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed layup, blocked by Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
4:11 | Defensive rebound by Devin Booker | |||
4:10 | Offensive foul on Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
4:10 | Offensive foul on Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
4:00 | +3 | Danilo Gallinari made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 63-34 | |
3:45 | +3 | T.J. Warren made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Devin Booker | 63-37 | |
3:19 | Danilo Gallinari missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
3:16 | Defensive rebound by Kelly Oubre Jr. | |||
3:06 | Unsportsmanlike technical foul | |||
3:06 | PHO team rebound | |||
3:06 | Devin Booker missed free throw | |||
3:06 | Unsportsmanlike technical foul | |||
3:06 | +1 | Danilo Gallinari made free throw | 64-37 | |
2:53 | T.J. Warren missed floating jump shot | |||
2:49 | Defensive rebound by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | |||
2:32 | Danilo Gallinari missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
2:30 | PHO team rebound | |||
2:17 | Shooting foul on Marcin Gortat | |||
2:17 | +1 | T.J. Warren made 1st of 2 free throws | 64-38 | |
2:17 | +1 | T.J. Warren made 2nd of 2 free throws | 64-39 | |
2:02 | Traveling violation turnover on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | |||
1:50 | Richaun Holmes missed reverse layup | |||
1:48 | Defensive rebound by Marcin Gortat | |||
1:32 | +2 | Danilo Gallinari made jump shot, assist by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 66-39 | |
1:11 | Mikal Bridges missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
1:07 | Defensive rebound by Danilo Gallinari | |||
0:53 | +2 | Marcin Gortat made layup, assist by Danilo Gallinari | 68-39 | |
0:34 | +2 | Richaun Holmes made dunk, assist by Devin Booker | 68-41 | |
0:10 | Bad pass turnover on Tobias Harris, stolen by Richaun Holmes | |||
0:02 | +2 | Richaun Holmes made layup, assist by Devin Booker | 68-43 | |
0:02 | Shooting foul on Tobias Harris | |||
0:02 | +1 | Richaun Holmes made free throw | 68-44 | |
0:00 | Danilo Gallinari missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
0:00 |