LOS ANGELES — Coming off a flat performance in a series-opening loss against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Dallas Mavericks achieved a hard-fought 96-93 victory. The series is now tied 1-1, with the next two games played at American Airlines Center.
Kawhi Leonard returned to the Clippers' lineup after being sidelined for Game 1 due to right knee inflammation. Los Angeles defended home court without him, with James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook stepping up.
Apr 23, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles
Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
With Leonard in the lineup, Kyrie Irving spent more time guarding James Harden, but the Mavericks deployed more pre-switching to reduce unfavorable matchups within the flow of possessions. Irving was competitive in guarding not only Harden but even the wing assignments he had to take amidst switching.
Zubac found himself in early foul trouble after picking up his second personal foul at 9:26 in the first quarter. Daniel Gafford was shaken up after an early play, causing him to go to the locker room, resulting in Dereck Lively II checking into the game.
The early portion of the game was highly competitive and physical, with defense setting the tone for both sides. Doncic's jumper was falling at a much stronger clip than Game 1, finishing the first quarter with 12 points and three assists, leading the Mavericks to a 23-19 advantage at the end of the opening period.
The Clippers regained a 26-25 lead over the Mavericks after leonard began attacking in short-range against P.J. Washington. A tough pull-up on one possession led a passing chance to setup Norman Powell a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer on a corner shakeup.
With both teams continuing play a grind-it-out type of game, the Mavericks narrowly out-edged the Clippers entering the break, holding a 45-41 lead. Doncic continued to set the tone with 18 points and four assists, while Harden (12 points) and George (10 points) each scored in double figures for Los Angeles.
The Mavericks withstood the Clippers' heightened shotmaking after halftime, even using a steal leading to a breakaway dunk for Irving to extend their advantage to 55-48 with 7:52 left in the third quarter.
The Clippers became more focused on blitzing Doncic, resulting in him having to drag two defenders wide before making a play. While Doncic and Irving hit timely jumpers, the Clippers began stacking together defensive stops and went on a 7-0 run to go up 62-61 late in the third period.
After Doncic attacked the rim for a finish to tie it up before the third quarter ended, he was called for a technical foul. Harden made the free throw to put the Clippers up 66-65.
Beginning the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run, the Clippers extended their lead to 73-67, entering a timeout called with 9:32 remaining in regulation. Dallas had a few defensive possessions in this stretch that could not account for containing dribble penetration and staying attached to Zubac.
Washington tied it up 73-73 after knocking down a corner 3-pointer, with Doncic taking control of the pace to slow it down. With the Clippers not picking up Doncic on the following possession, he pulled up from deep to give the Mavericks the advantage, prompting Tyronn Lue to call a timeout.
Coming out of the stoppage, Doncic drew a late double in the post to set up Irving for a quick trigger catch-and-shoot 3-pointer, putting Dallas up by six. After Doncic guarding Leonard and pulling off a stop, Irving attacked downhill for a floater, extending it to a 14-0 run for the Mavericks until Russell Westbrook answered with a 3-pointer.
George sliced through the defense for a finish to make it a five-point game, followed by the Clippers' defense forcing a 24-second shot clock violation. George then found Zubac on a dropoff pass for an emphatic dunk, bringing Los Angeles within three.
Kleber rose to the occasion with a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer with Jones, then stripping Zubac on the other end before closing the possession. Dallas protected its six-point lead with about a minute and a half left until Doncic hit a pivotal step-back from beyond the arc, setting up a 90-81 advantage with 1:26 left to play.
While the Clippers had a few scoring possessions down the stretch, the Mavericks answered with accurate free-throw shooting. However, after a successful challenge, Leonard got by Irving on a cut, reducing Dallas' lead to 93-90. Irving was wrapped up intentionally before splitting a pair of throws and then grabbing the rebound on the miss to create a perfect trip to the line to clinch the win.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks and Clippers will face off on Friday with Game 3 and 4 being played at American Airlines Center.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5zaS5jb20vbmJhL21hdmVyaWNrcy9uZXdzL2x1a2EtZG9uY2ljLWt5cmllLWlydmluZy1kYWxsYXMtbWF2ZXJpY2tzLWxvcy1hbmdlbGVzLWNsaXBwZXJzLWdhbWUtMi12aWN0b3J5LWthd2hpLWxlb25hcmQtcmV0dXJu0gEA?oc=5
2024-04-24 05:01:39Z
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