By: Alex Bustillo
@TxSportsBlog on Twitter
The Dallas Mavericks have a 2-0 commanding lead on the Los Angeles Clippers. A dream start to their 2021 NBA Postseason; when many experts thought the Mavericks were no match for the Clippers. The Clippers actually wanted Dallas as their first-round opponent and made sure that happened with their play to end the regular season. Perhaps it was because LAC won the series 4-2 in last year's postseason from the Orlando bubble, or maybe they thought there was no way Luka could match his performance from last year. So far, the Clippers, the analysts, and the Vegas lines couldn't be more wrong.
The Mavericks were six-point underdogs when they faced the Clippers on Saturday, May 22nd from Staples Center for Game 1. Dallas came out of the gate hot, grabbing an early 19-8 lead about halfway through the first quarter before the Clippers closed to within 3 points at the end of the quarter, 33-30. The teams would go back and forth for most of the game but the difference was the Mavericks had the significant edge in three-point shooting, beating the Clippers at their own game. The Mavs shot 47% from downtown including a HUGE triple by Dorian Finney-Smith, late in the 4th to give Dallas a 103-100 lead. Finney-Smith finished with 18 points on 7-9 shooting to go with his elite defense and energy. Luka delivered yet another playoff triple-double, with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists as Dallas took Game 1, 113-103. The Clippers shot only 27% from long range and got out-rebounded, 42-39.
Game 2 on Tuesday night was much of the same, as Dallas continued their hot shooting from the field and from long range. Tim Hardaway Jr. did not cool down, scoring 28 points on 9-14 shooting and 6-8 from beyond the arc. Kristaps Porzingis was more efficient from the field in Game 2, shooting 67% and 3-4 from deep. Luka was aggressive all night and poured in 39 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Dallas shot an even higher percentage in Game 2, shooting almost 60% from the field and 53% from three. The Clippers just didn't have an answer. The Mavericks led by as much as 14 points. Dallas overcame shooting just 54% from the line and getting outscored 60-48 in the paint. The Clippers also out-rebounded the Mavericks, 39-34. Outside of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Los Angeles could not answer the Dallas scoring attack. Marcus Morris was in foul trouble and only managed 9 points. Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was in attendance to see his successor and the new face of the franchise lead Dallas to a commanding 2-0 series lead, with a 127-121 victory.
Photo credit: Sports Illustrated
Can the Mavericks win their first playoff series since their title run in 2011? "We can't rest, we know what they're capable of," said Tim Hardaway Jr. The young Mavericks know the job is far from over, and now it's their turn to take care of business at home Friday night. The Mavericks expect several more thousand fans in attendance than were allowed at Staples Center.
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