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The Golden State Warriors built a huge first-half advantage before hanging on to beat Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns 123-112 on Monday. Phoenix started mounting a comeback at the start of the second quarter but just couldn’t overcome the Warriors’ huge 25-point cushion.
Phoenix was looking to overhaul the Warriors' lead with one big push in the fourth quarter when one of the referees aided their opponents' cause. Following a jump ball between Chris Paul and Donte DiVincenzo, a game official was left on no man’s land as play started.
He impeded Paul’s attempt to guard Jordan Poole, who nailed a crucial 3-point shot. Fans who saw the sequence promptly tossed in their comments:
“Refs setting illegal screens for the Warriors i’ve seen it all”
Some also noticed what may have happened had the referee not been standing in Chris Paul's path:
"Paul acting like his old a** contesting Poole"
Here's the play that had some fans in stitches:
DiVincenzo outjumped Paul and directed the ball to JaMychal Green, who was guarded by Deandre Ayton at the post. Green swung it out to Poole just as the referee was scrambling to get out of the way.
Poole's 3-pointer padded the lead to 110-96 with just a little over seven minutes left in the game. "JP" made a few timely baskets to keep the Warriors' lead from going below 10 points in the final period.
The Phoenix Suns had no one but themselves to blame for the loss. Kevin Durant's absence seemed to play a big part in their lethargic and inept start. Golden State ran rings around Phoenix on their way to a 43-21 first-quarter advantage.
The Suns deserve plenty of credit for refusing to wilt. They outscored the Warriors 90-81 after the initial 12 minutes of the game but just couldn't get out of the huge hole they were in.
Klay Thompson had a huge night for the defending NBA champs. Thompson had 33 points, which was highlighted by eight 3-pointers in the first half. He took it repeatedly to Devin Booker, with whom he had a heated encounter the first time their respective teams met this season.
Chris Paul had a forgettable outing tonight against the Golden State Warriors
Chris Paul played 30 minutes and finished with 11 points, 11 assists and one steal. He was 5-13 from the field and missed all four of his 3-point attempts.
"CP3" is now 37 years old and some of the wear and tear showed up tonight versus the Golden State Warriors. The defending champs often targeted him on defense and forced him to fight through screens while guarding Klay Thompson and Steph Curry.
Paul's half-hearted attempt to guard Jordan Poole's 3-pointer was partly a result of how the Warriors forced him to defend. Curry outmuscled him for a layup in the second quarter and then had this to say:
"This ain't 2014 no more"
Chris Paul had this to say about Steph Curry's trash talk after the game:
"I don't know what happened in 2014"
The Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns meeting in the playoffs will be something basketball fans can't wait to watch.
