The Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 123-109 in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday, tying the series 1-1.

Having learnt their lesson from the lost Game 1, in which Kevin Durant, their best scorer, only took 15 shots, the Suns increased his individual attack from the beginning in Tuesday's game. Durant shot eight field goals (FGs) in the first quarter, but most of them were attempts off the dribble. Though most of the Clippers' defenders are smaller than Durant, they are quick enough to keep him from breaking though the 3-point line and interrupt his rhythm.

As a result, Durant only made three of his attempts in the first quarter while committing three turnovers. Coach Monty Williams soon made adjustments to the Suns' offense for Durant to do more off-ball attacks, which dramatically improved his efficiency. Having gone 7-for-11 from the field in the following three quarter, Durant got 19 points, including 10 in the second period that enabled his side to rally 35-30, wiping the five-point deficit (29-24) in the first quarter.

Nonetheless, Durant was not the Suns' biggest hero for this game. Devin Booker drained 14 of his 22 FGs to drop 38 points and nine assists to make the biggest contribution to the team's key victory at home. He only missed one of his eight attempts in the third quarter to score 18 points, putting the Suns to a five-point lead (92-87) after this period.

The Clippers continued to receive solid offensive work from Kawhi Leonard who shot 11-for-20 from the field to get 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Russell Westbrook, who missed 16 of his 19 shots but made key defensive contributions in Game 1, bounced back remarkably on the offensive end to score 28 points by making eight FGs, including two triples.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, the rest of the team didn't provide much decent help to Leonard and Westbrook. Terance Mann was the only one of the rest seven on the team's regular rotation to shot higher then 50 percent from the field, but he only took three shots. In the final quarter, Leonard was shut out of the restricted area while Westbrook could only steal two buckets in early offense since most of the Suns' defensive attention was on them.

Despite the loss, the Clippers made an inspiring change in the fourth quarter, though it didn't last long. They sent an extremely small squad to the court in which 2.01-meter-tall Leonard was their biggest player. Theoretically, such a lineup could magnify the power and Westbrook's penetration since all of the rest four can space the floor. Defensively, they have quick footwork to switch, not necessarily solid during regular time, but good enough as an option for clutch time.

Perhaps the Clippers should consider giving this squad longer time. Coach Tyronn Lue kept a full-sized center, either Ivica Zubac or Mason Plumlee, on the court during most time of the two games, and had them drop back to protect the rim on most defensive possessions. That explained the incredible shooting performances of Durant, Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton in Tuesday's game.

The highlights of Durant and Booker aside, Ayton made four mid-range jumpers to get 10 points in the second quarter; Paul went 4-for-5 between the 3-point line and the paint to score eight points in the fourth quarter. Most teams prefer to see the opponents shoot jumpers in the middle range because it the most unfriendly area to improving efficiency. However, when you play against the Suns which have four players able to shoot to kill there, having big men drop back may be even riskier than betting on a small-ball squad.

The Suns don't have a working small lineup until Durant improves his defensive coordination with his teammates, but they can still alter their defensive tactics with Ayton. With his size and quickness, Ayton is able to follow most perimeter players, which means that it may be a waste of his talents to have him stay behind the free throw line in guarding screen plays. Leonard made five mid-range jumpers on Tuesday night, and he could grow more productive in that area if he smells blood there like a shark does in the ocean.

Game 3 will happen at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday.

Atlanta Hawks 106-119 Boston Celtics

The Celtics continued to display dominance over the Hawks with the second easy win at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, leading 2-0 in the series. Their five starters combined to go 13-for-28 behind the arc. Jayson Tatum drained five of those triples to drop 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Derrick White made nine of his 11 shots in the paint to add 26 points.

On the Hawks' side, Trae Young continued his mediocre offensive performance as he went 9-for-22 from the field to get 24 points in Tuesday's game. Dejounte Murray scored 13 of his 29 points in the third quarter, seemingly to light some hope for his side, but it didn't last long because the Celtics extended their lead to 22 points (119-97) when there were two minutes left in the final period.

Game 3 will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday.

New York Knicks 90-107 Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers secured their first playoff win without LeBron James thanks to the excellent performance of Darius Garland. He made six triples and 10 free throws to drop 32 points and seven assists at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday to help the team tie the series 1-1. Donovan Mitchell didn't have to take 30 shots as he did in Game 1 and contributed a double-double of 17 points and 13 assists.

The Knicks' disappointing offensive performance cost them the competition on Tuesday. Their star duo Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle combined to go 13-for-37 from the field. The whole team missed 50 of their 79 attempts. Such low efficiency was too much for them to offset with aggressiveness or offensive rebounds.

Game 3 will happen at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday.