PHOENIX — Tobias Harris scored 27 points, as the Clippers (41-34) pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Suns (19-57), 111-99.
Here are five quick takeaways from the Clippers’ win.
1) Harris strokes from deep —
FOX Sports’ Kristina Pink had just begun her postgame interview with Tobias Harris, but was interrupted briefly when DeAndre Jordan jumped on Harris’ back, elated and screaming. Harris scored a team-high 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting on the night, and a scorching 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Since joining the Clippers, Harris has become the team’s most lethal shooter, connecting on 42 percent of his three-pointers.
2) Another milestone for Jordan —
Earlier this season, DeAndre Jordan became the Clippers franchise leader in games played. Tonight, he became the eighth player in club history to score 7,000 points. The moment occurred on his first basket during the first quarter right at the rim off an assist from Austin Rivers. Jordan finished the night with 13 points and 15 rebounds, putting him on pace to finish with his best rebounding month of his career. So far in March, he’s averaged 17.26 rebounds. Only Dennis Rodman (twice) and Ben Wallace have ever grabbed more rebounds in the month of March.
With one milestone secured, the next likely milestone for Jordan is franchise leader in double-doubles. He recorded his 261st career double-double, four shy of Elton Brand for most in franchise history.
3) Suns’ streak in the first quarter —
Entering the night, the Suns had the worst record in the NBA. Yet in the first quarter, they caught the Clippers by surprise, shooting an incredible 66 percent from the field, leading by five after the first. The Suns are one of the youngest teams in the league, with only one player who has more than four years of experience in the NBA. They were led by rookie Josh Jackson and second-year player Tyler Ulis, each scoring 9 points in the opening quarter.
The Suns hung around through the first three quarters, but couldn’t sustain their success in the fourth. Ulis scored a team-high 23 points on the night. Marquese Chriss recorded a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
4) Teodosic out, Wallace starts —
The Clippers fell behind early. The Suns offense drove to the rim without much resistance, and as a team, they were shooting above 60 percent into the second quarter. It was Tyrone Wallace, in his second game since returning to the team from the G League, who infused some energy into the team with his defense. He blocked two shots at the rim in the second and recorded three steals, as the Clippers flipped a 7-point deficit to a 5-point lead. On offense, Wallace slashed to the rim, cutting and finding space in the paint, and his teammates rewarded him. Wallace scored 12 points by halftime, the most in a half this season, along with 5 rebounds.
Wallace started because Milos Teodosic suffered a plantar fascia injury on Tuesday, the same injury he dealt with earlier in the season. He will be re-evaluated on Thursday.
5) Clippers pull away in fourth —
Only leading by three after three quarters, the Clippers’ defense tightened up in the fourth quarter, allowing only 17 points total, with most coming late when the game was sealed. The Clippers began the fourth quarter on an 18-0 run over a 5:23 stretch, putting the game out of reach.
What’s Next? — The Clippers fly to Portland for a Friday night matchup, tipping off at 7:30 PDT.