There’s nothing like a superstar duel to kick off the season. And it’s even better when the match is close and indecisive until the end. The meeting between the Los Angeles Clippers, who inaugurated the Intuit Dome, their new venue, and Phoenix, saw a maestro duel between Kevin Durant (25 points) and James Harden (29 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists), this Wednesday. A mano a mano which finally turned to the advantage of the Suns winger, remarkable precision at the end of the match and during overtime (116-113), which his former teammate during the OKC period (2009-2012) lacked. ) and Nets (2021-2022).
The Californian franchise failed to open up a significant enough gap before the end of the fourth quarter. Quite annoying for the Clippers who will have been in the lead for a long time in a match where the Phoenix trio seemed to purr before transforming. While Harden piled up bad choices in the last five minutes (10 out of 28 on shots, 2 out of 9 at three points), Bradley Beal began to make a few shots (24 points at 66%), soon imitated by “ KD.”
With 25 seconds left, the 36-year-old took matters into his own hands. He dribbled before planting a mid-range shot which he has the secret to from the throwing line (103-103). One of his great classics, heralding a happy ending for the Arizona franchise. A rather well-paid victory for Phoenix, not in Olympic form. Like his back Devin Booker, precise (15 points at 5/9 on shots), but lacking inspiration.
