LOS ANGELES – A relentless Luka Doncic scored at least 20 points in a 16th consecutive playoff game on the road, and the Dallas Mavericks dominated the Los Angeles Clippers on their floor, 123 to 93, Wednesday night.
Doncic and the Mavs now lead this matchup three wins to two, and find themselves in the driver’s seat before heading to their amphitheater for the presentation of the sixth duel on Friday evening.
The Slovenian superstar totaled 35 points, including 29 in the first three quarters, as well as 10 assists and 7 rebounds for Dallas, which already led by 10 at halftime, then by 20 at the conclusion of the third quarter.
No. 77 of the Mavs was removed from the game by his instructor Jason Kidd with 5:39 remaining in the final quarter. The visitors led at that time by a colossal margin of 29 points (104-75).
It was the fourth time in his career that Doncic, one of three finalists for the NBA MVP title, scored at least 35 points and 10 assists in the post-season schedule.
After this bitter failure, the Clippers will have a lot to do to force the holding of a final meeting.
The latter were without one of their leaders and most experienced players in the playoffs, Kawhi Leonard, who is still dealing with knee inflammation that is slow to heal.
James Harden was particularly ineffective in the loss, missing 10 of his 12 attempts, including 6 of 7 from three-point range, settling for a measly seven points.
Paul George and Ivica Zubac each provided 15 points for Tyronn Lue’s squad, which could be the second LA team to be sent on vacation in the first round, after the Lakers were excluded by the Denver Nuggets in five games.
2024-05-02 04:26:00
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