LA Clippers barely scrape out a win in Phoenix: 3 takeaways

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 10: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers drives the ball past Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 10: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers drives the ball past Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers watches from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers watches from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The LA Clippers barely escaped Phoenix with a 123-119 overtime win despite a poor team performance and an injury to Lou Williams.

That was about as bad of a win as possible. The LA Clippers barely escaped the four win Phoenix Suns with a 123-119 overtime win on Monday night.

After coming off a sorry performance against the Miami Heat on Saturday, a quick stop in Phoenix seemed like the perfect opportunity to tune things up and get right prior to playing Toronto. Devin Booker was ruled out early and Deandre Ayton was a late nod after missing practice on Sunday for flu like symptoms. This had all the makings of an easy win but quickly became a trap game.

Phoenix was the aggressor with Ayton leading the way early. He seemed amped up to get his revenge on Boban Marjanovic who had given him problems in their last game against each other. Ayton led the Suns out of the gate with 7 first quarter points and the team jumped out to an early eight point lead.

The Clippers managed to re-take the lead going into halftime, but an injury in the second quarter to Lou Williams left them without a scoring punch off the bench (More on that later.)

Down 104-95 with 7:09 left in the fourth quarter, many felt that this game might end up being an awful loss just like Saturday’s game. However, LA managed to put together a 14-1 run, putting them up 109-105 with 1:33 left.

The Suns didn’t go away though and forced overtime. Luckily, LA ended the fourth with enough momentum to carry over and managed to never lose the lead in the OT period.

There was a lot going on in this contest, so let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from this victory.