Paul George led the Los Angeles Clippers with 27 points as his team registered their first win in Western Conference Finals history and reduce their series shortfall against the Phoenix Suns.
George had to deliver after missing two main free throws in the one-point Game 2 loss and with squad-mate Kawhi Leonard still out injured.
The seven-time All-Star swipe -up the challenge on Thursday by registered six of seven free throws en route to netting 27 as well as recording 15 rebounds and eight assists, as his side won 106-92.
The teams played a tense first half with Phoenix up 48-46 at the beginning before the Clippers blew up with a 21-3 run in the third quarter that took them ahead 71-56.
The three points lead in that run by the visitors came from Chris Paul, who left out the first two contests of the series due to the league's health and safety protocols.
The former Clipper, who was hissed on introductions at the Staples Center, scored 15 points and had 12 assists .
His squad-mate Devin Booker was only five of 21 from the field and made just one of his seven three-point efforts to end with 15 points.
The lose finished the Suns' franchise-record playoff winning run at nine games, with the away team leading the series 2-1 in advance of Game 4 in Los Angeles on Saturday.