Johnson Too Much for Clippers

The Clippers find it easier to beat the Phoenix Suns when Kevin Johnson isn’t around.

Johnson ran past, around and through the Clippers for 33 points and 15 assists, scoring 15 in a big first quarter that carried the Suns to a 103-92 victory over the Clippers on Sunday.

The victory allowed the Suns to avoid the indignity of being swept in the season series by the Clippers.

In two of the first three matchups, the oft-injured Johnson sat out. And in the Suns’ season-opening, 112-106 loss to the Clippers, Johnson did all he could with a season-high 39 points.

“Some players are really quick, but can’t shoot. Some guys can shoot real well, but can’t get around you,” Clipper guard Terry Dehere said. “But KJ has the total package and he showed it tonight.”

Charles Barkley added 21 points and 14 rebounds as the Suns reached the .500 mark for the 10th time (34-34) this season. Dehere had 17 points and Rodney Rogers 16 for the Clippers, who shaved a 20-point Sun lead to 95-87 on Loy Vaught’s jump shot with 2:32 to play.

But Johnson made a 17-foot jump shot 22 seconds later and followed with two free throws to put the game out of reach.

“We’re really trying to get over this hump before the playoffs come around, so we’re pressing a little bit. But I think that’s good,” said Johnson, who is averaging 21 points and 10.2 assists in March. “We’re playing with a little more sense of urgency.”

Michael Finley had 11 points and John Williams and A.C. Green had 10 each for the Suns, who took the lead for good with a 17-0 run late in the first quarter.

Vaught had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who never recovered after missing 11 of their first 12 shots.

The Clippers trailed by only one point, 10-9, when Malik Sealy made a 14-footer with 5:08 to play in the first quarter, but Johnson scored five points and dished out three assists over the next 3:44, with two free throws by Barkley capping the run for a 29-12 lead.