PHOENIX -- After waiting 28 years for their last NBA Finals appearance, the Suns will now have to wait at least two days.Phoenix was completely outplayed by the LA Clippers in Game 5 of Monday's Western Conference finals. This result cut the Suns series lead to 3-2.Phoenix was playing almost from behind throughout the night in a game that felt completely different from Game 4. In Game 4, when Phoenix went into Staples Center and took an early lead. In the first five minutes, the Clippers took a 20-5 lead. Marcus Morris Sr. was able to make a run for it, going 6-for-6 from field.Monty Williams, Suns coach, said that it was unacceptable how the team started the game. It was a huge hole for us. It is obvious that we cannot play with a show up mentality. They showed up in the first quarter and played with desperation, plain and simple.Devin Booker (31 point lead) and Chris Paul (22-22 points, eight assists), led the Suns. However, they could not take control. The Suns cut the deficit to four in the first quarter, and then to two in the second. They briefly took the lead at 62-60 on a Paul jumper with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. Phoenix was able to get within four points of the lead with just 6:58 left in the fourth quarter.Paul stated, "We have to get closer quarters better." "Like that has been a problem all series. The last two quarters are closed. We took the lead, then we may cut it down to one or two. Then they get a bucket and go for a run.After the Suns had held their lead for a brief 20 seconds, the Clippers won the third quarter with a 30-16 push. The Clips then scored a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 12 points in the fourth quarter, after Torrey Scott missed a free throw that would have reduced the Suns' lead to three points.Booker stated, "It's all on us." "They came out and punched us in our faces to get the game started. It was evident that they did it in certain spots and times tonight, but they won't go away quickly, so we must be held accountable from the beginning.Cameron Johnson, Suns reserve, saw his best game in the series end as he scored 14 points while shooting 5-for-6 from the bench. He was then asked how Phoenix was handling the missed opportunity.He replied, "Well, it is the realization that it won't be easy." "That's the playoffs, and it's hard and that's all everyone said it would be. You can't expect a team just to roll over. They brought it today and gave us a hard time. We just need to bring it next time."The Suns dominated the area near the basket Monday, after outscoring Clippers by 58 in the paint during the first four games. Phoenix was outscored by 32 to 58 in the paint, despite Los Angeles's absence of starting center Ivica Zurbac, who was sidelined with an injury to her right MCL.Williams stated, "That's not what you would have expected," especially considering that they didn't have Zubac tonight. "So, we will improve in the next match."The most important thing on my mind right at the moment is that we need to play with more force and competitive edge and that we have to protect the ball."The Clippers shot 54.8% collectively, with Paul George scoring a playoff-record 41 points on 15-for-20 shots.Paul stated, "He got it moving." Paul said, "He was getting to the spots and making shots. "...We had to make it harder on him."Booker could have been responsible for some of these defensive woes. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Clippers were 10-of-14 when Booker was their primary defender. He scored 23 points. He allowed 10 field goals in these playoffs, which was the most he had ever conceded in a single game.Booker stated, "I think that we'll be prepared to go for Game 6," as he looked ahead to Wednesday's Game 6. "That's a hard loss for us at home with the chance to clinch the NBA Finals. So we're going be ready."Williams stated that the Suns must summon the same spirit that drove the Clippers to victory in Game 5 when Phoenix has a second chance at winning the game in two days."The desperation must be there. The coach stated that this is the deal. "Just because you're a leader in the series doesn’t mean that you have to show up and expect them to give it to your. That is something we must understand, and I believe that we do. When we come back next time, we will be more prepared."Williams was asked what he could do to ensure that his group taps into this desperation next time they take the court.He said, "Getting your butt kicked as that should turn it off."
