All-Star George, Mann lead Clippers past Suns 116-107

PHOENIX (AP)— Paul George and Terance Mann each scored 26 points and the LosAngeles Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns 116-107 on Thursday night inthe final NBA game before the All-Star break.

Kawhi Leonardadded 16 points, all in the second half, and nine rebounds. IvicaZubac and Eric Gordon each scored 13 points and Zubac had 12rebounds.

The Clippersgo into the break with wins in their last two games as they adjustto a new lineup rotation. Recent acquisitions Gordon, Bones Hylandand Mason Plumlee all played important roles in the victory. Theycombined for 30 points and 10 rebounds and were a collective 11 for11 from the foul line.

“The new guyscame in and just plugged right in as if we started the season,”George said. “We played great team basketball. We shared it and gotstops as we needed to.

“We goteverything we need. We just have to bring that all together andfind an identity that can carry us.”

Leonardmissed all eight of his shots in the first half but was 5 of 10after that and made all six of his free-throw tries.

“I just madeshots,” Leonard said abut the difference. “You just gotta keeppushing.”

The Sunsmissed nine of their first 10 3-point attempts, with only JoshOkogie warming up later in the game. Okogie led Phoenix with 24points. He was 6 of 12 from behind the arc, but the rest of theSuns made five combined.

“It feelsgood without having to look over your shoulder when you mess up,”said Okogie, whose recent performances have put him in the runningto join Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton inPhoenix’s starting lineup when Durant returns from a kneeinjury.

“Coach (MontyWilliams) told me, ‘I don’t care if you miss eight in a row. Iwon’t take you out for missing but I will take you out for notshooting.’”

Booker had 19points and nine assists for Phoenix. Ayton scored 18 points andnewcomer Terrance Ross had 16 points. Booker was 1 of 6 from3-point range, but tied Steve Nash’s franchise record with 1,0513s.

Paul had 11assists, two nights after having a season-high 19 againstSacramento.

The Clippershave scored 100 or more points in 20 of their last 21 games.

The loss wasthe Suns’ first against a Pacific Division opponent in 10 games,and the Clippers moved ahead of Phoenix into second place goinginto the All-Star break.

TURNOVER

The Suns wonthe first two meetings between the teams, both in Los Angeles, butthe squads have undergone major changes since then.

The Clippers’new threesome made their presence known Thursday night, while theSuns expect Kevin Durant to play soon. He was acquired with T.J.Warren from Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowderplus four first-round picks.

Clipperscoach Tyronn Lue said the Suns’ trio of Durant, Booker and Paulreminds him of going against Durant, Steph Curry and Klay Thompsonwhen Lue was coaching Cleveland in the NBA Finals.

“I don’t wantto think about it,” Lue said about the Suns adding Durant to theirrotation. “It’s a tough coverage, tough matchup. I’m interested tosee how they play, how they share the basketball. But on paper itlooks really good.”

NEWGUY

Ross joinedthe Suns for the game and made a quick impact, scoring a team-highseven points in the first quarter. Ross, a 6-foot-6 guard/smallforward, was waived by Orlando as his contract was expiring afterthis season.

Ross, in his11th NBA season, was averaging eight points in 22 minutes per gamefor the Magic.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Los Angelesplayed without Norman Powell, who was resting his ailing rightknee. “No bigger concerns,” Lue said of Powell resting theClippers’ last game before the All-Star break. Phoenix remainswithout Durant (knee), Landry Shamet (foot) and Cameron Payne(foot).