On the street to start Game 1, the Mavs do not make a false start in Game 2. Their defense is there and the Clippers immediately fall back into their mistakes by abusing isolations and rapid shots.
Opposite, Luka Doncic sets the tone. He scored twelve points in the first quarter and his two winning shots launched a 9-1 which allowed Dallas to pull away (23-15).
Tyronn Lue's men, however, rectified the situation. They pass an 11-2 to their opponent straddling the first two quarters to regain the advantage (26-25). With the exception of Paul George (22 points) and James Harden (22 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds), this burst is only short-lived for the Clippers and the Doncic duo – Irving does it again to give back seven points ahead of the Mavs (37-30). Dallas, however, misses the opportunity to take off. They lose six balls and allow Los Angeles to remain in ambush (45-41).
PJ Washington important at the end
Despite the awkwardness of the two teams, the stars answer the call. Kyrie Irving (23 points) and Luka Doncic continue with strength, scoring 15 of their team's 20 points in the third quarter, but the awakening of Kawhi Leonard (15 points) allows the Clippers to return to equality (55-55) . Three free throws from James Harden even put LA in front but a lay-up from Luka Doncic at the buzzer kept the two teams back to back (65-65).
While Dallas' second knives continue to miss open shots from afar, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac launch a 7-2 which gives the Clippers their biggest advantage of the match (73-67). The Mavs respond immediately. So far at 2/7 on shots, PJ Washington (18 points) scores five points in a row, before two 3-pointers from Doncic then Irving complete a 14-0 which leaves the Crypto.com Arena speechless (81- 73)!
Paul George brings the Clippers to -3, but with two minutes to play, the Mavs kill the game. A two-hander on Luka Doncic ends in a winning shot for Maxi Kleber, before the Slovenian shoots a stepback on the head of James Harden to put Dallas at +9 (90-81)! Luka Doncic roars with pleasure, the Mavs return to Dallas with home advantage.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Clippers attack stalled. Sparkling in the first match, the Clippers fell back into their mistakes at the end of the season. Instead of showing selflessness, they abused one-on-ones and possessions with fewer than three passes. They finished the game at 36% on shots and 26% on 3-pointers. Only Paul George and James Harden were successful, while the trio Mann – Westbook – Powell finished 6/26 on shots. Tyronn Lue's men will have to find rhythm in Dallas to regain home advantage.
– And suddenly, the flood. As in Game 1, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were there but their teammates were again unsuccessful. They were 9/24 on shots and 2/6 on 3-pointers after three quarters. At -6 with nine minutes to play, the Mavs have set the sights. PJ Washington's ten points finally made the Clippers' defense pay. The former Hornet and Maxi Kleber played 3/4 from afar to support the 3/4 of the Doncic – Irving duo. The Mavs therefore put 6 of their 14 3-point shots in the last quarter to make the difference and tie the series.
– Discreet return for Kawhi Leonard. Back after missing the first game of the series, Kawhi Leonard did not impact the match. He finished with 15 points on 7/17 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals. Like his teammates, he lacked rhythm throughout the game.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
