With a Paul George – James Harden duo at 2/10 on shots and the Mavericks at 1/10 at 3-points, the two teams did not let go of each other in the first quarter. Fifteen points from Ivica Zubac and Terrance Mann compensated for the clumsiness of the Los Angeles stars, while opposite 12 points and 6 assists from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving (14 points, 6 assists) allowed Dallas to score 20 points. their 25 points in the racket to take the lead (25-24).
A 3/3 3-pointer from Maxi Kleber (15 points, 5/7 3-pointers) in the second quarter pushes the Mavs' lead to +8 (41-33). The Clippers defense recovered, allowing Norman Powell (14 points), James Harden (7 points, 2/12 shots), Paul George (15 points, 4/13 shots), and Ivica Zubac to come back on their heels of their opponents (43-42).
However, the Mavericks are driving the point home. While the Clippers play without rhythm, Doncic and Irving continue to make Los Angeles' hasty rotations and wanderings pay to offer a 4th 3-pointer to Kleber and an alley-oop to Daniel Gafford. The two interiors scored 20 of Dallas' 31 points in the second quarter, and the Mavs ended the half on a 13-4 run to take a ten-point lead (56-46).
Paul George and James Harden transparent
The trend is confirmed upon returning from the locker room. The Clippers missed 11 of their first 12 shots and only scored 4 points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter while Luka Doncic put the Mavs at +25 (83-58)!
Paul George, limited to free throws for half of the second quarter, finally scores a basket with 57 seconds left in the third period but that does not change the outcome of the match. Dallas starts the last quarter with a 15-5 to increase the gap to +30 (104-74).
The Mavericks therefore strike a big blow and return to Dallas with a chance to end the series in Game 6. Perhaps the Clippers played their last game at the Crypto.com Arena…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Luka Doncic’s demonstration. For the first time in the series, Luka Doncic finished the match with more than 50% success. Throughout the match, the Slovenian had fun with the Clippers defense. Tyronn Lue tried everything. Switch, traps, drops… The coach used every possible strategy to slow down the Mavs star but nothing worked. Doncic made the right decision consistently, finishing 12/18 at 2-points, but only 2/8 at 3-points. However, he did not need great skill from afar, since his shifts punished the Clippers. Maxi Kleber took the opportunity to make 4/5 3-pointers in the second quarter to allow Dallas to take control of the match. Doncic also offered 20 points to the Gafford – Lively pair. The Clippers couldn't do anything.
– The Clippers are going through this in the worst possible way. Faced with a Dallas defense that was much leaner than in Game 4, the Clippers started well. They tried to bring movement into the offensive game, before falling back into their mistakes. Their offense became static and turned into a one-on-one fest that never put the Mavs in trouble. James Harden and Paul George, heroes of Game 4, finished 6/25 on shots. Russell Westbrook missed 10 of his 12 attempts but it was his lack of defensive rigor that hurt the Clippers even more. Ty Lue's men finished at 38% on shots, and 25% on 3-pointers in a crucial match, at home…
– 2021, 2024, same scenario? Three years ago, the Clippers and Mavs were in the same situation. Back to back after four games, with a fifth game at Staples Center. Luka Doncic led the Mavs to a five-point victory. Two days later in a decisive match, 45 points from Kawhi Leonard in Dallas forced a Game 7 that the Clippers won easily. Three years later, the situation is the same but the context is different. The Clippers lost Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena, and Kawhi Leonard will likely be in civilian clothes during Game 6 in Dallas. Opposite, a Luka Doncic ready to take his revenge will be keen to beat the Clippers in the playoffs for the first time in his career.
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.
