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“The bubble has the best of me”: George finds the way as Clippers Mavericks rolls

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Paul George has finally found his way.

The All-Star Guard scored 35 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Dallas Mavericks 154-111 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference playoff series in the first round.

George had shot 29 percent on the series and endured the wrath of fans on social media. He said he spoke to the team psychiatrist before Game 5.

“I mean whatever it was, the bladder took the best of me,” said George. “I was just in a dark place. I really haven’t been here. I checked out. It’s just been difficult the last couple of games. “

George said it didn’t feel like the playoffs until his teammates decided to create the atmosphere that was lacking in the NBA’s Walt Disney World bubble.

“I came in with the attitude that this is Staples, we are home,” he said. “The place is full. I had to be really upset. I thought the whole team took that and we ran with it. We created our own energy. We decided to dictate this game. “

Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points and Montrezl Harrell added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who set a franchise record for points in a playoff game. Los Angeles can win the series on Thursday.

Dallas’ Luka Doncic, who met a game winner on Summer in Game 4 to finish a 43-point triple-double, was held to 22 points in 6v17 shooting.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was thrown out in the third quarter of the friendly, which included six technical details and an obvious 1 foul.

Doncic said Clippers striker Marcus Morris may have purposely stepped on his ankle early in the third quarter.

“I don’t want to talk to him,” said Doncic. “He just tells me a lot of bad stuff throughout the game. I don’t want to talk to him. I just have to keep going. As I said, everyone will have their own opinion. I just hope it wasn’t intended. If that was intentional, that’s very bad. “

Maverick’s center Kristaps Porzingis sat with pain in his right knee. It was the second game in a row that the 7-foot-3 Latvian missed.

Leonard scored 22 points and Paul George 18 to give Los Angeles the lead at halftime 76-52. The Clippers shot 61% in the first half and led by 27 points.

The Clippers continued the attack in the second half and built the lead up to 45 points.

“Hard game,” said Carlisle. “Very bad performance from us. It was disappointing. It was very physical. We just need a stronger physical condition to start the game. We need to get more traction on both ends of the ground. “

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Doncic was pronounced a technical foul in the second quarter. … G Tim Hardaway Jr. was called on a blatant 1 after punching George in the face while driving. … Assistant Stephen Silas took over as coach after Carlisle was kicked out.

Clippers: Shot 67% off the field in the first quarter. … Hardaway and Morris were asked for duplicate specs in the second quarter. C Ivica Zubac was called on the third for a technician.

BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL

Clippers coach Doc Rivers was emotional when he spoke about the police shooting of Jacob Blake on August 23 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which sparked national outrage and some violent protests. Blake, a 29-year-old black man, was shot in the back while his three children watched.

“This video, when you see this video – you don’t have to be black to be outraged,” said Rivers. “You must be American and indignant. How dare Republicans speak about fear? We are the ones who must be afraid. We need to talk to every black child. What white dad needs to give his son a chat about being careful if you get run over? It’s just ridiculous. It goes on. There are no fees. Breonna Taylor – no fees. Nothing. We are just asking you to comply with the Constitution. That’s all we ask for – for everyone. For each.”

CARLISLE’S EJECTION

Carlisle described what led to his ejection. Hardaway had the ball at the free-throw line and then Rivers was given time out.

“My understanding in this situation is that once a shooter has the ball, the opposing coach cannot take time out,” said Carlisle. “I thought the call was wrong. So I asked about it and didn’t get a good explanation and then it became a technical one and then another technical one. I only stand up for my team. “

NEXT

Game 6 is Thursday.

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