It was not until the N.7 match, after six away wins, that the advantage of the floor was useful in this crazy series. At Staples Center, LA was finally more solid by winning (126-111) and Dallas could not take its long-awaited revenge, after elimination at the same stage last season.
Impeccable, Kawhi Leonard (28 pts, 10/15 on shots, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 interceptions) was instrumental in this success. “We never gave up even being led 3-2, we really wanted to do better,” he reacted hotly.
He was well helped by Paul George (22 pts, 10 assists) and Nicolas Batum, author of a big shadow job (11 pts, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 interceptions, 1 against).
The change occurred at the end of the third quarter, concluded (100-85) after the Clippers inflicted a scathing 24-4 on the Mavs, thanks in particular to three consecutive baskets at long distance from Marcus Morris. The winger-shooter planted seven in total out of nine attempted (23 pts), including the one who repelled a last futile Texan assault with 75 seconds remaining.
The outside address of Californians (20/43 at three points) will have made the difference, compared to that of Dallas, deficient (10/36). And this despite Luka Doncic, still exceptional with 46 points and 14 successful assists.
The 22-year-old Slovenian prodigy simply didn’t have the support he needed from his usual gunners, Kristaps Porzingis (16 pts) and Tim Hardaway Jr (11 pts) who had a horrendous 1/14 behind the arc.
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