The Dallas Mavericks shoot lights out and even up the Western Conference first round series at 1-1 despite 35 points from Kawhi. PG got in early foul trouble and struggled mightily from the field and was a non-factor. Luka got off to a HOT
start but the refs whistles slowed him down; he still managed 28 points and 7 assists. When Luka went to the bench with foul trouble, that’s when this game changed.
The Clippers could not make up ground with the second year phenom socially distanced on the sideline.
The Mavericks bench was the difference, withstanding every Clippers run and answering with one of their own. Boban was a workhorse, his movement allowed for others to get open looks and he was rewarded himself with some easy dunks. He scored 13 points in just 10 minutes. Seth Curry had the hot hand in the 3Q and finished with 15 points. Trey Burke shot 7-11 from the field for 16 points. Timmy added 17 points and hit 3-7 from long range. Maxi Kleber grabbed 10 boards and played his usual great defense.
The Clippers really missed their defensive leader in Pat Beverley who missed game 2 with a calf strain. The Mavericks took advantage, shooting 50% from the field and 45% from deep. Dallas lead wire to wire for their first playoff dub since 2016. The unicorn had a quiet 23 points on 7-13 shooting. Luka’s 70 points in his first two career playoff games puts the 21 year old in elite company, surpassing the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Kareem, and only looking up to the great George Mikan. Clippers and Mavs face off for game 3 on Friday night from the #NBA bubble in Orlando.