The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers at home Friday night in Game 3, 101-90. Dallas now has a 2-1 series lead in their first round matchup in the NBA playoffs. Luka Doncic had a team high 22 points to go along with his 10 rebounds and nine assists. Kyrie Irving, who was invisible in the first half, poured in 19 second half points and finished with a line of 21 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Dereck Lively, Derrick Jones Jr., and PJ Washington were the other three Mavericks to score in double digits. For the Clippers, Norman Powell and James Harden were tied for a team high 21 points. Ivica Zubac added 19 points and eight rebounds for a Clippers team that struggled to find their rhythm on offense.
To start the game, it was all about the big men as the two centers combined to score the first eight points. For the Mavericks, the first two possessions were a taste of what was to come for the rest of the half. Daniel Gafford had six of the team’s first 12 points and made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he’s never going to completely shut down the much larger Zubac, but he did manage to make things difficult for him. He also performed admirably whenever he was asked to switch onto someone on the perimeter. Offensively, his ability to score in the paint was much needed at a time when the Mavericks missed their first eight attempts from beyond the arc. The Clippers, after starting 1-of-5 from 3 themselves, hit a couple of 3s to end the quarter and that turned out to be the difference as the 1st quarter ended 23-18.
The second quarter was much more aesthetically pleasing from a basketball perspective. Gafford showcased his athleticism with an incredible block that led to a Luka basket. Two possessions later, Josh Green hit the first Maverick three point shot. A minute later, Green was able to get a dunk in transition after a chaotic scene that involved three steals in as many seconds. Shortly thereafter, James Harden looked like the James Harden of old after knocking down back-to-back 3-point shots. Luka was able to knock down a step back three of his own and cut the Clipper lead down to four.
After Russell Westbrook committed a flagrant foul on a Josh Green dunk attempt, it was all Mavericks from there. A 16-2 run, highlighted by a number of thunderous dunks by Lively, propelled the Mavericks into the lead. Some tough defense and timely shots allowed the Mavericks to take a 54-41 lead into the half.
The third quarter opened with a Doncic step back three. After a couple of Terrace Mann free throws, Washington had an impressive tie-up and block on back-to-back possessions. Kawhi then went on a mini run scoring four points in quick succession. Despite being clearly hobbled; he was able to drive and dunk on one possession and was the recipient of an alley-oop pass seconds later. The next few minutes was what many in the industry call a “brick fest”. With 4:40 remaining in the third, both teams had combined for just 23 points. The last four and a half minutes were an emotional roller coaster for fans of both teams.
After Gafford stopped the bleeding with a tough hanging basket, I made the following note on my computer, “Kyrie, where are you.” Kyrie quickly made a fool of me after scoring seven points in quick succession and the Mavericks needed every one of those points to hang on to their lead. After watching the lead get cut down to six, Kyrie’s timely buckets allowed them to stretch the lead back to 11 as the quarter ended, 78-67.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by the incident that resulted in both Russell Westbrook and Washington getting ejected. Westbrook, who’s play is usually fueled by anger at some imaginary foe, committed a foul on Luka. Westbrook inexplicably complained to the officials then pushed Luka when Luka came over to voice his disapproval with the foul. Washington, in defense of his teammate, gave Westbrook a light shove in the back and stood his ground when Westbrook pretended to charge at him. In truth, both players deserved to be ejected. Westbrook for his foul and PJ for the contact he made with Westbrook. As far as the actual basketball is concerned, the Mavericks scored just enough points to keep the lead where it was and never allowed the Clippers to go on a run. It was a crucial home win for the Mavericks and one that showcased their ability to win as a team. Game 4 is on Sunday and the Mavericks will have the opportunity to seize complete control of the series.
Here are the things to know.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George belong on milk cartons
Kawhi Leonard is clearly injured. What stood out for me was how long he hung on the rim after throwing down an alley-oop. His momentum caused him to swing on the rim and it was clear he wanted to soften his landing by waiting until his body stopped swaying before letting go. His injured knee is clearly in his head and it’s causing him to be trigger shy. He looks undecisive and doesn’t trust his body when attacking in isolation. He had just seven field goal attempts in 25 minutes of play and was a net negative for the Clippers. If this is the version of Leonard we are going to see this series, the Mavericks should be considered huge favorites to advance to the second round.
Paul George, however, is as healthy as a mule and failed to make an impact in Game 3. Too often, he simply stood off to the side while James Harden and Norman Powell initiated offense for the Clippers. He had seven points on 3-of-11 shooting and failed to step up for his team at times where the offense grinded down to a halt. During the regular season, there were long stretches where George looked like a first or second team All-NBA caliber player. That player has yet to make an appearance through three games. Harden has clearly been the team’s best, and most aggressive, player in this series. If George and Leonard are going to combine for just 16 points, that is a game the Mavericks must win and they did just that.
The big men were the difference
After Game 1, Ivica Zubac looked like the second coming of Shaq in his prime. His physicality and aggressiveness looked like it would be too much for Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively too handle. Fast forward to today, both players appeared to be up for the challenge. They battled and matched Zubac’s physicality. They did a great job of protecting the rim and defending in space on the perimeter. After the trade deadline, we knew that 48 minutes of competent center play would give the team and huge boost and nights like tonight prove it. When the team struggled to hit shots from the perimeter, they doubled down on getting the big men to attack the paint with their rim running and it paid off handsomely.
The role players need to knock down open 3s
During the regular season, Derrick Jones Jr. shot 10 percentage points higher from 3 at home than he did on the road. With Game 3 in Dallas, I expected that he and the other role players would be able to knock down 3s at a higher clip. Players not named Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving combined to go just 3-for-13 from deep. On a night when Paul George and Kawhi Leonard struggled to score, that was good enough. In Game 4 and beyond, it may not be. There were a couple moments during the game where the Clippers looked like they were going to make a run, but a Maxi Kleber three came at a crucial moment.
While the first three games have been rock fights, there may come a time where the Clipper offense clicks, and the team will need their role players to hold up their end of the bargain on the offensive end.
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