**Suns at Clippers**



-- After losing at home on Wednesday by 25 points (122-97), a lot of folks were starting to doubt Phoenix and its ability to advance past Los Angeles in this best-of-seven series. Sure enough, the Suns bounced back Friday and held off the Clippers 94-91 in Game 3 at Staples Center.




-- Mike D’Antonio’s team led 74-63 after three quarters, but soon relinquished that lead to the hot shooting of Vladimir Radmanovic. The lanky European ripped off four consecutive 3-balls for a 12-point barrage, helping the Clips take a 77-76 lead with just under eight minutes to play.



-- L.A. continued to shoot jumper after jumper late in the game and couldn’t connect. Trailing 94-91 with 3.5 on the clock, the Clippers still had a shot to force overtime. Unfortunately, Radmanovic’s attempt from downtown missed left.



-- The Suns’ frontcourt was abused in the first two games of this series before revolting with a stellar performance in Friday’s victory. Shawn Marion posted 32 points and 19 rebounds, while Tim Thomas and Boris Diaw combined for 30 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists.



-- After torching Phoenix for 67 points in the desert, Elton Brand failed to duplicate those efforts at Staples Center. The power forward faced double and triple-teams all night, resulting in 20 points and nine boards. He did distribute eight assists and it could’ve been more if his teammates hit open looks.



-- Friday’s game almost looked like Phoenix and Los Angeles swapped jerseys, considering the amount of jumpers the Clippers were taking. L.A. finished the game with 42 percent and that comes after posting 59 and 54 percent in the first two tilts on the road.



-- Aggressive play is a big key in the playoffs and it certainly helps with the free throw line. The Clippers attempted just 20 shots from the stripe in Game 3 after averaging 27 attempts in the first two games.



-- Sam Cassell and Corey Maggette were a combined 5-of-20 (25%) from the field, including 0-of-5 from 3-point land.



-- The Suns have got to be pleased with taking a 2-1 lead in the series, especially since they didn’t put forth a solid offensive performance. The team shot 37 percent from the field, including a dreadful 7-of-27 effort from downtown.


-- The combined 185 points in Game 3 never threatened the closing total of 215. Still, first quarter players did see the ‘over’ cash for the third straight game. For your trend players, the ‘over’ is 2-1 in the first half.



-- Staples Center has now seen the ‘under’ cash in all four games when the Clippers take the floor. Plus, the same venue also watched the ‘under’ go 2-1 in the Lakers three home playoff games.



-- Friday’s setback for the Clips was also their first defeat at home in the playoffs after ripping off three straight in the first round.



-- Oddsmakers aren’t expecting to Los Angeles to succumb to a 3-1 deficit, tabbing the Clippers as 4 1/2-point favorites for Game 4, a full-point higher (3.5) than Game 3’s line. After Friday’s lower scoring game, the total has dropped five points from 216 to 211.



-- Tip off for this contest is slated for 8:00 p.m. EST, with TNT offering national coverage.



-- Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, with both teams meeting at US Airways Center.