Clippers seek defensive effort against Suns

Though still inconsistent at times on defense, the Clippers have made strides in that department in recent games.

The Clippers know they’ll have to be solid on defense against Phoenix on Tuesday night at US Airways Center.

That’s because the Clippers will face a Suns team that is fifth in the NBA in scoring (105.3 points per game), eighth in field-goal percentage (46%) and ninth in three-point shooting percentage (37.2).

The Suns attempt the second-most three-pointers (25.1) in the league and make the fourth-most (9.3).

But the Clippers do rank first in the league in three-point defense, holding teams to 32.7% shooting.

“Our individual defense needs to go up another notch,” Blake Griffin said. “But our help defense has been great at times. We still have room improve in both aspects.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com
Twitter:@BA_Turner