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Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. Paul and the Suns pulled away for a 112-100 win to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. Paul and the Suns pulled away for a 112-100 win to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, shoots as Clippers center...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Clippers center...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, and guard Russell Westbrook defend during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., right, shoots as Phoenix Suns...

    Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, chats with Clippers center...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, chats with Clippers center Ivica Zubac just before tipoff during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Eric Gordon, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward...

    Clippers guard Eric Gordon, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores on a layup in front...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores on a layup in front of the Phoenix Suns’ Landry Shamet, right, and Kevin Durant during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig, left, goes up for a...

    Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig, left, goes up for a dunk as Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) and forward Nicolas Batum, right, defend during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Injured Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, watches from the bench...

    Injured Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, watches from the bench during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots a jumper in front of...

    Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots a jumper in front of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams gestures during the first...

    Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams gestures during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket as the...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket as the Phoenix Suns’ Landry Shamet defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams speaks to Chris Paul, left,...

    Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams speaks to Chris Paul, left, and Kevin Durant on the sidelines during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, shoots as Clippers forward...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, shoots as Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant looks to pass as Clippers...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant looks to pass as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores on a layup in front...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook scores on a layup in front of the Phoenix Suns’ Landry Shamet during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, celebrates after a basket during...

    Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, celebrates after a basket during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, and Clippers center Ivica...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, and Clippers center Ivica Zubac reach for a rebound as Suns guards Chris Paul, left, and Devin Booker look on during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reacts in front of an...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant reacts in front of an official after being called for a foul during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Chris Paul, left, reacts after blocking a shot...

    Clippers guard Chris Paul, left, reacts after blocking a shot by Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Clippers center...

    Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo, left, defends and center Ivica Zubac, center, watches during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant stands on the court during...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant stands on the court during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo, right, reaches in on Clippers...

    Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo, right, reaches in on Clippers center Mason Plumlee during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul shoots during the first half...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul shoots during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers coach Tyronn Lue Phoenix Suns coach watches from the...

    Clippers coach Tyronn Lue Phoenix Suns coach watches from the sidelines during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., left, blocks a shot by...

    Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., left, blocks a shot by Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook pulls down a rebound in front...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook pulls down a rebound in front of teammate Marcus Morris Sr. as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton looks on during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward...

    Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie defends during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie, right, grabs a rebound away...

    Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie, right, grabs a rebound away from Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket between the...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket between the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, left, and Josh Okogie during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket between the...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket between the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, left, and Josh Okogie during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker celebrates after making a 3-point...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Eric Gordon drives to the basket between the...

    Clippers guard Eric Gordon drives to the basket between the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant, left, and Torrey Craig during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams watches from the sidelines during...

    Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams watches from the sidelines during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook looks to pass as he cuts...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook looks to pass as he cuts between the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant, left, and Devin Booker during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant, left, and Devin Booker react...

    Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant, left, and Devin Booker react toward the bench after a stop in play during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, scores in front of Phoenix...

    Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, scores in front of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, center, shoots as Clippers center...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, center, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, and forward Robert Covington defend during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker attempts a layup as he...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker attempts a layup as he is fouled by Clippers center Mason Plumlee during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • The Clippers’ Terance Mann, left, and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin...

    The Clippers’ Terance Mann, left, and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant react to a foul call during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, reacts as he is...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, reacts as he is fouled by Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward...

    Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives to the basket in...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives to the basket in front of Clippers center Ivica Zubac and Deandre Ayton, left, during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, is fouled by Clippers...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, is fouled by Clippers guard Russell Westbrook as he shoots during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reacts as he waits for play...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reacts as he waits for play to resume during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reacts as he waits for play...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reacts as he waits for play to resume during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Clippers center Mason Plumlee, center, has his shot blocked by...

    Clippers center Mason Plumlee, center, has his shot blocked by Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, and forward Torrey Craig during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, shoots as Clippers center...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, shoots as Clippers center Mason Plumlee defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, soars to the basket for...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, soars to the basket for a layup as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, celebrates after scoring as guard...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, celebrates after scoring as guard Eric Gordon runs behind during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Clippers forward...

    Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker makes a pass as he...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker makes a pass as he saves the ball from going out of bounds in front of Clippers center Mason Plumlee, center, and Suns center Deandre Ayton during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul shoots a jumper in front...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul shoots a jumper in front of the Clippers’ Norman Powell and teammate Deandre Ayton during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard (black shirt), Russell Westbrook and...

    Injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard (black shirt), Russell Westbrook and others watch from the bench during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, shoots as Clippers guard...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, reaches to try to catch...

    Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, reaches to try to catch a pass as he is fouled by the Phoenix Suns’ Torrey Craig during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, and Clippers guard Russell...

    Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, and Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reach for a rebound during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig, right, shoots as Clippers guard...

    Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig, right, shoots as Clippers guard Russell Westbrook defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, soars to the basket for...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, soars to the basket for a layup in front of Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, left, and guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook argues a foul call in front...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook argues a foul call in front of Bones Hyland during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, and teammate Chris Paul...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, and teammate Chris Paul talk during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul rises in traffic next to...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul rises in traffic next to teammate Deandre Ayton (22) as Clippers guard Eric Gordon, left, defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, drives past Clippers guard...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, drives past Clippers guard Norman Powell during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives to the basket around...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives to the basket around Clippers guard Norman Powell during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Clippers guard...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots as Clippers guard Bones Hyland defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul reacts after hitting an off-balance...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul reacts after hitting an off-balance 3-point shot as teammates Bismack Biyombo, left, Josh Okogie and Landry Shamet celebrate behind and Clippers guard Russell Westbrook looks on during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, is congratulated by center...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, is congratulated by center Bismack Biyombo after hitting an off-balance 3-point shot during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul smiles after making an off-balance...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul smiles after making an off-balance 3-point shot during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • From left, the Clippers’ Mason Plumlee, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac,...

    From left, the Clippers’ Mason Plumlee, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Nicolas Batum, Eric Gordon and Paul George watch from the bench during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, sets up a play...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, sets up a play in front of Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker holds his pose after hitting...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker holds his pose after hitting a 3-point shot as forward Kevin Durant, center, and guard Chris Paul congratulate each other while Clippers center Mason Plumlee, far left, walks away during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, congratulates teammate Devin Booker...

    Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, congratulates teammate Devin Booker after he made a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook stands on the court in the...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook stands on the court in the closing seconds of the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker holds the ball as the...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker holds the ball as the Clippers’ Robert Covington defends during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant scores on a layup between...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant scores on a layup between Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, and forward Robert Covington during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant holds his pose after making...

    Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant holds his pose after making a 3-point shot during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and forward Kevin Durant...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and forward Kevin Durant congratulate each other during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Clippers on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker walks off the court after...

    Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker walks off the court after their 112-100 victory over the Clippers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

  • Clippers guard Russell Westbrook watches warm-ups before Game 4 of...

    Clippers guard Russell Westbrook watches warm-ups before Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES — Clippers coach Tyronn Lue came to the podium after his team lost to the Phoenix Suns, liking what he witnessed on the court but not so much on the scoreboard.

The Suns pushed the Clippers to the brink of elimination with a 112-100 victory in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon. Phoenix has won three straight and leads the best-of-seven series 3-1.

“I hoped to see a win,” Lue said. “We are not playing to keep it close. I know y’all might think that, but we are playing to win.”

But they didn’t win, and the wishing and hoping now rests with Tuesday night’s Game 5 in Phoenix.

“We need big games again. Big games from Norm (Powell). Big games from Russell (Westbrook). Big games from everybody. We need everybody to play well,” Lue said. “Like I said, we are scrapping, and we are competing, but then we’ve got to be smarter. Just fouling, taking care of the basketball, good shot selection.

“But overall, I love exactly what we’re doing.”

Before Saturday’s matinee tipoff, Lue hoped his team would show the same passion they displayed in a losing effort in Game 3, when they overcame a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter before coming up short.

But like the previous game, the Clippers couldn’t overcome the Phoenix Suns’ duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who carried Phoenix with a finishing kick from former Clipper Chris Paul.

Durant had a team-high 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Booker added 30 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Paul added 19 points, nine assists and three steals (and no turnovers), quieting the arena with two big 3-pointers during his 12-point fourth quarter. Deandre Ayton had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

“Ty, as I’ve said before, he’s one of the best at changing defenses, putting the big strong guys on your scorers to frustrate you,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “And they push it to the legal limit. I thought Kev just stayed with it tonight. He fought for the ball a bit more than last game, I thought, and I think our guys did a much better job of finding him when he was open so he could attack. But I do still feel like it’s a work in progress.”

In turn, Lue praised the Suns and their coach, saying that their talent level is something the Clippers cannot take lightly.

“Our margin for error is very slim, and so we can’t turn the ball over eight times in one quarter,” Lue said. “We can’t give up offensive rebounds. We can’t do things like that, especially when you’re short-handed.”

The Clippers again played with a desperate intensity to stay afloat in the series, but it came in fits and starts. Several times, they grabbed the momentum with big scoring runs only to give it all back with turnovers and careless fouls.

And like the game two days ago, Clippers were without their two biggest stars – Kawhi Leonard and Paul George – both of whom sat on the bench with sprained right knees. Lue dismissed their absence playing any part in the Clippers trailing 2-1 coming into Saturday’s game.

“Because we’ve been in this position before a lot of times. Our guys are prideful guys in that locker room, and they are professionals as well,” Lue said. “We played well when PG and Kawhi have been out, and I just think that the addition with Russ, when he’s on the floor, we believe we can win every night, again.”

Westbrook had another big game – 37 points, six rebounds and four assists to become the sixth player in franchise history to score 30 points in back-to-back postseason games. He had 14 points in the fourth quarter, including nine in a row when the Clippers twice pulled within two points, but it wasn’t enough.

Eric Gordon disappeared after the first half, Norman Powell didn’t produce the same kind of 3-point fireworks he did in Game 3 and finished with just 14 points, and Terance Mann added 13.

The Clippers were in a good spot in the early going as the Suns shot 28% (7 for 25) in the first quarter. Durant picked up two fouls and the visitors had four turnovers.

The Clippers took advantage of the Suns’ rough opening. Mason Plumlee whipped passes like Magic Johnson. Gordon was in a groove from 3-point range (2 for 3), Westbrook was active, and the Clippers used a 19-5 run to open a 30-23 lead.

Then the second quarter happened. Turnovers, something Lue had warned about, crept into their game. The Clippers turned the ball over eight times in the quarter and had 10 by halftime – nine of them on steals by the Suns. And it turned out, they couldn’t hold onto the lead any better than they could hang onto the ball. They trailed 48-47 at halftime.

“We had opportunities in the second quarter,” Lue said. “I thought we had eight turnovers, kind of got easy baskets but our margin for error is slim.”

The Clippers scored nine straight points to open the third and take an eight-point lead. But Durant scored 11 points in the period, capped by a 3-pointer that sent the Suns into the fourth leading 83-78.

“This team is going to stick around the whole game,” Durant said of the Clippers. “They’re never out of a game. It was a back-and-forth battle. They threw punches, we threw punches. We threw the last one.”

Marcus Morris Sr. started in place of Nicolas Batum, who had struggled offensively throughout the series. Morris, playing in his second game since March 25, scored nine points and had three rebounds. His appearance was part of Lue’s plan to change things up.

“You know, just keep throwing fresh bodies on the floor, continue to keep playing the way we’ve been playing and then hopefully they slow down a little bit,” said Lue, who coached the Cleveland Cavaliers when they erased a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to win their only title.

Expect more lineup changes for Game 5.

Asked if he was anything he saw in this game’s lineup that he might use in the next game, Lue shot back with a quick “No.”