Paul George leads L.A. Clippers in dominant win over Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns (19-18) were routed by the Los Angeles Clippers (23-13) on the road Monday, 138-111.

This was the Suns' second straight loss and third in their past four games, after ending a four-game win streak at home in a loss to the Clippers last Wednesday.

Phoenix's Big 3 scored well as Kevin Durant had the game-high 30 points, Devin Booker 20, and Bradley Beal contributed 15 in the losing effort.

Paul George scored his team-best 25 points, including four made 3s for L.A. All of his fellow starters scored in high double digits, as well as L.A.'s sixth man Norman Powell's 14 points.

The first quarter and early in the second were the most competitive between both teams, as there were six lead changes and eight ties. But the Clippers held the lead after that, going up 56-53 at 4:26 in the second, and eventually gained its largest lead of 30 in the fourth quarter, as the Suns' late-game struggles continued.

The Suns were overpowered in rebounding, 44-25, with L.A. dominating on the defensive boards, 33-20. The Clippers nearly doubled Phoenix's assist total, 32-17.

Phoenix coach Frank Vogel all but conceded the loss when he substituted each of the team's starters during its last timeout at 5:12 left to play.

The Suns play their second of this three-game road trip in Los Angeles, where they next face the Lakers on Thursday at 8 p.m.

George, Clippers extend lead over Suns in 3rd quarter

Phoenix remains behind L.A., 101-91, at the close of the third quarter.

L.A.'s Paul George and Phoenix's Kevin Durant were tied for the game-high 23 points. All five of L.A.'s starters have scored in double figures.

Devin Booker chipped in nine of his 18 points in the third, and Bradley Beal has 15 total.

The Clippers got their biggest lead 15 at the 5:45 mark, and held a double-digit lead since one minute prior.

Phoenix is being dominated on the glass 33-19, and L.A. has had better ball movement for shots with 23 assists to Phoenix’s 17.

Suns, Clippers stars show 2nd quarter-shooting spree

L.A. entered halftime ahead of Phoenix, 71-63, and gained the game's largest lead 11 points toward the end of the second quarter.

All seven of both team's future Hall of Famers have put on a shooting clinic, hitting at least 50% on a minimum of five shot attempts in the first half.

Phoenix's Big 3 has been on point offensively. Kevin Durant scored 13 of his total 20 points (7-of-11 FG) in the second, Bradley Beal scored six of his 11 points (5-of-10), and Devin Booker scored a bucket for nine points (4-of-8).

James Harden lit up the Suns' defense, scoring all 15 of his points in the second (5-of-7 including two 3s. Paul George matched Harden for the game-high 15 points (6-of-8, three 3s), and Kawhi Leonard had nine points (4-of-6), and Russell Westbrook had seven (3-of-5).

The Clippers went on a 20-7 run in the second, but the Suns defense has converted L.A.'s eight turnovers to 16 points.

Clippers edge Suns on George's 3 to end 1st quarter

L.A. All-Star Paul George nailed a contested 3 over Grayson Allen with 4 seconds left for a 34-31 lead to close the first period.

George leads all scorers with 10 points on a solid 4-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-4 from the arc.

Phoenix's Big 3 had a balanced offensive attack as Devin Booker and Kevin Durant each have seven points, and Bradley Beal has five.

L.A. and Phoenix both shot well in the first, hitting over 65% and 55%, respectively.

There were four lead changes and four ties thus far.

Starting lineups

The Suns are starting their Big 3 in Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant, along with Grayson Allen on the wing and Jusuf Nurkic in the middle.

The Clippers will open with guards James Harden and Paul George, Terance Mann at the three, Kawhi Leonard at power forward, and center Ivica Zubac.

Durant, Gordon in for Suns

Kevin Durant (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (knee) have been upgraded to available for the Suns.

The Republic's Duane Rankin reported that Suns coach Frank Vogel said during his pregame media session Durant will be on a minutes restriction, but Gordon won't.

Durant probable for Suns' Big 3 vs. Clippers' 4-star showdown

Kevin Durant (right hamstring soreness) is listed as probable on Phoenix's pregame injury report.

L.A. has just one player, Moussa Diabete (right-hand metacarpal fracture), on its injury report.

That means Phoenix's Big 3 Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Durant will make their sixth appearance together this season. In addition, L.A.'s four stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, as well as Durant's fellow former MVPs and ex-teammates James Harden and Russell Westbrook are good to go.

Before Durant returned against Memphis, he missed the Suns' previous three games, including against the Clippers last week.

Eric Gordon (right knee soreness) is probable to play against his former team. Gordon, tied for fifth with starter Grayson Allen among the Suns' top scorers, (13.6 points per game), joined Phoenix as a free agent last off-season.

Other Suns players on their injury report include backup big Udoka Azubuike (illness), Nassir Little (left knee soreness), and Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery), who are out.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: George, Clippers dominate Suns in 4th quarter to win rematch