On the gong, Phoenix makes the break against the Clippers! (VF)

“Sounds familiar to me…” A few minutes after the winning basket of Deandre Ayton, who gave the buzzer upon receiving an alley-oop from Jae Crowder a second victory in two games at the Suns against the Clippers on Tuesday in this Western Conference final (104-103 ), Tyson Chandler had this reaction on Twitter. Because in December 2017, the experienced pivot, then in Phoenix, had almost scored the same basket at the last second on a throw-in against the Grizzlies.

Two valid baskets, although some had doubts. The referees also took a few moments to validate that of Ayton, registered 0.9 seconds from the end. The Suns were then able to let their joy explode and congratulate the hero of the evening. A title that Cameron Payne could have claimed, again starting in the absence of Chris Paul and author of his career points record (29, with 9 assists), while Devin Booker, who ended up with a bloody nose after contact with Patrick Beverley, “only” scored 20 points, but 5/16 on the shot.

He incenses Crowder

Ayton finished him with 24 points and 14 rebounds and no one could stop him, although Ivica Zubac, incorporated in the Californians’ starting five by Tyronn Lue, could slow him down at times. But not enough, the number of the draft 2018 deviating even to return shots at mid-distance. A sweet revenge for the one we keep repeating that he should never have been selected before Luka Doncic and Trae Young three years ago …

The former Arizona Wildcats interior might have bragged after the fact, but it’s not the kind of house. Ayton, who had confided his admiration for MVP Nikola Jokic in the previous round against the Nuggets, especially praised the passer. “This is definitely Jae’s winning basket, he did a great pass over a 2.13m guy, he confessed. The coach made this system where I am in my preferential position. And then my teammates trust me, my trainer too. “ The rest is now history for the men of Monty Williams, who do not intend to stop there. Because they know well that their opponents have already recovered such a deficit in their two previous series.

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