For his big debut, Jalen Green shines brightly against the Clippers

THE Suns they seem to be finally finding their rhythm at home. On Thursday night, Phoenix signed a solid victory against the Clippers (115–102), which was worn for the first time by the brilliant Jaylen Green in new colors. Arrived in exchange for Kevin Durantit didn’t take long for the former Rockets guard to get used to it: 29 points in 23 minutes, 6 game-winning shots and an infectious energy that completely changed the face of his team after the break.

Scoring nine of the Suns’ first eleven points, Devin Booker and Jaylen Green immediately set the tone, with promising complementarity.

In contrast, Bradley Beal is whistled for every ball… Deprived of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers rely on Ivica Zubac, dominant in the paint, to answer the Green-Booker duo.

The author of 10 points in the first quarter alone, the Croatian is very bad in offensive rebounding, but the wealth of the Suns team and 19 points from Booker and Green allow the Suns to be in the lead after twelve minutes (31-27). The rest is obviously less exciting with the Clippers looking to slow the game down and regain control thanks to their interior. Brook Lopez scores a goal (35-33), and the Clippers create their first deficit of the match (47-40) thanks to a good pass by the Jones Jr-Dunn duo. The Suns recalled Green, and it made an immediate difference. Still not enough for the lead, and at halftime Nicolas Batum’s teammates are ahead: 51-48.

Back from the locker room, it’s night and day, and under the guidance of Royce O’Neill, the Suns are much more biting and aggressive. The defense is higher and more active, and within a minute, Fenix ​​regained control. It’s a one-sided third quarter and Jalen Green takes over the game. Deft from a distance and aggressive towards the circle, he bends the defense and multiplies passes on the line. He is the one who finds Booker for a three-pointer that gives a 10-point lead (67-57).

Three minutes later, it was Royce O’Neill’s turn to hit a three-pointer, and the Suns took a 20-point lead! The Clippers are knocked out and the Suns are playing their basketball with very little waste. The gap stabilizes, and Jordan Ott can make his players work. It’s smooth basketball and confidence does the rest.

Ryan Dunn scores with a foul, then serves up Green for another triple. Grayson Allen also enters the action, and with eight minutes left, the Clippers are -25. Freezing temperature that kicks off the long and boring “garbage time.” But in Phoenix, we’re having fun to celebrate our third win in four games.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Jalen Green is already adopted. He couldn’t have imagined a better night for his big debut with the Suns. In front of his new crowd, the former Rockets forward was good with 29 points in 23 minutes on 50% shooting. He brings this madness and this spark that the Suns have been missing for two years.

– The Clippers are at a standstill. With Nicolas Batum starting, the Clippers held on for one half before falling apart. Tyronn Lue tried to slow the game down and move the action under the boards, but the defense exploded upon returning from the locker room. The outside defense was too slow to get out on the opposing shooters. This is the third defeat in a row for Zubč’s partners.

– Bradley Beal in pain. He was booed during team introductions, and then every time he took the ball, he had a very bad night, suffering comparisons to his successor, Jalen Green. The former All-Star guard finished with 5 points on 2 of 14 shooting!

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.