George made a layup with 31 seconds left to give the Clippers a 101-100 lead for their first advantage since early in the third quarter. Suns guard Devin Booker responded with a jumper of his own with 27 seconds left.
George calmly took the ball on the next possession and drilled a long two-pointer for a 103-102 lead.
But there was a lot more action left.
George missed two free throws with 8.2 seconds remaining and the Suns had a chance to win, but it looked as if it wouldn’t happen when Mikal Bridges missed a corner 3-pointer and the ball was deflected out of bounds.
Instead, it set up Crowder’s heave to Ayton, who was dominant in the paint all night.
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, middle, shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Phoenix.
The Suns have won nine straight in the playoffs, which is a franchise record.
The Suns were led by Cameron Payne, who was brilliant while subbing for All-Star Chris Paul. He finished with a career-high 29 points. Ayton had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Booker added 20 points.
Payne repeatedly carved through the Clippers defense, making tough buckets at the rim with pretty left-handed finishes. He made what looked like a crucial layup with about 90 seconds left, finishing high off the glass to give the Suns a 100-95 lead.
But the gritty Clippers responded and nearly pulled this one out.
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