L.A. Bounces Back

Paul Pierce and the Los Angeles Clippers didn’t fall for the trap on Monday.

Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the No. 1 team in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors, the Clips faced a potential trap game against a struggling Phoenix Suns. But the savvy Clips took care of business in a 124-84 blowout.

“Right now, I think it’s more about playoff seeding. I know there’s only 25 games left, so all the motivation is there no matter who we’re playing,” Paul said. “We’re trying to position ourselves to get home court in the first round, possibly push up to the three seed. I think the motivation is there regardless of who we play. The opponent doesn’t really matter.”

No. 34 tallied 11 points and four boards in a balanced effort from the Clippers. L.A. began with a 10-3 run, topped by a trey from The Truth. He later gave his team a double-digit lead, knocking down a pair of free throws to make it 17-6.

Ahead 19 by the end of the first frame, coach Doc Rivers started the second quarter with his reserves, who allowed the Suns to mount a run. The Suns opened the period with a 16-1 spurt to get as close as four, thanks to center Alex Len and shooting guard Archie Goodwin combining for 14 points.

“To me, it was us not making that adjustment, us kind of playing lackadaisical defense that allowed them to get that run,” said two-guard J.J. Redick, who totaled 22 points. “Our pace just completely changed, and we couldn’t score. Then we got it back by the end of the half.”

Redick singlehandedly stretched a four-point lead to eight before Pierce made it 10 with a step-back jumper. The Truth later sealed the second stanza with a steal for Redick to drain a triple in transition with 2.2 seconds on the clock.

“We got some quick fast breaks,” Rivers said. “Once you get going with the three-point ball, the floor is wide open the rest of the game, and I think that’s what happened.”

The Clippers led 59-42 at the half, but their energy never wavered. Paul hit a three from the top of the key to give L.A. a 20-plus-point lead for good, 77-55, with 6:20 left in the third.

With L.A. starters sidelined the fourth quarter, the second unit finished strong, including Jeff Green. The forward, who was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline Thursday, totaled 12 of his 18 points in the final frame.

“He definitely adds more versatility, offensive and defensively,” The Truth said of Green. “He can stretch the floor with his three ball. He’s unbelievable in transition, and he’s a guy you can put on the block and iso at the wing. Definitely adds another dimension to our small ball, a guy we can use in any lineup.”

L.A. shot 55 percent from the floor and 54 percent (13-of-24) from deep, while holding Phoenix to 35 and 29 percent (7-of-24), respectively. The Clippers also beat the Suns on the boards, 53-41.

Pesky defense coupled with quality shots allowed the Clippers to coast to their fifth win in seven games. Meanwhile, the Suns (14-43) are still searching for their first win since Jan. 23.