The atmosphere inside the Staples Center on Thursday for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals was different. The Phoenix Suns had backed the Los Angeles Clippers into a corner as they carried a 2-0 lead into the contest. Game 3 was the chance to essentially put the cigarette butt out. It was the Clippers, however, who came out smoking.
Los Angeles wasn’t on fire statistically. They shot 36.6% from the field in the first half. The squad that was the best three-point shooting team in the NBA this season shot a measly 17.