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Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks may be ripe for a bright future before our playoff eyes, but Kawhi Leonard and the angry, spotty Los Angeles Clippers remind us in the dominant blowout of Friday night that they are not yet fully grown.
Reduced by Doncic’s record scoring by two games and Dallas’ 127 points in a disgraced Game 2 win, the Clippers inject an increased defensive intensity and physicality into the series in the first half of Game 3. Los Angeles, one of the best defensive work in the NBA all season, trapping and transforming Doncic into a passer in the painted and ratcheted Game 2 nudges in Game 3 shoves.
The result: The finesse, up-tempo, ballroom dancing that the Mavs preferred disappeared into the Clints’ commercial version of a violent rugby scrum.
Dallas did not lose its coolness by falling behind 2-1 in the series – in its two losses it ended the game without Doncic or Kristaps Porzingis on the court – but it certainly loses its atmosphere.
And – hold your breath – it might as well have lost a full-speed Doncic.
The candidate for the most valuable player rolled his left ankle terribly – without contact – while keeping Leonard in the third quarter, on one foot jumping all the way to the locker room. His grin, wiggling from a wheelchair, had his ankle strapped and came back – albeit with a noticeable limp – before the start of the fourth quarter. But he played just three minutes before succumbing to the pain, bumping on the bench and shaking his head in his hands before returning to the locker room to record a 13-point / 10-rebound / 10-assist triple -double.
With his initial injury, the Mavs trailed 85-71 with 3:58 left in the third quarter. When he went for the good exit, the Clippers were firmly in control, 110-95. Dallas managed 67 points in the second half, but the Clippers set the tone early and kept the Mavs at a comfortable arm’s length in the stretch.
With adrenaline, players often play immediately via dirty ankles. It’s the day after that swelling, stiffness, pain and debilitating mobility downgrade Superman in streetwear.
“We will know more (Saturday),” said Doncic coach Rick Carlisle, who underwent X-rays and figures to have more tests. ” He will of course come back and try it. … We need to see if we can get him significantly better through (Game 4). If it’s not Sunday, then (Luka will try Game 5). ”
Added Luke: ‘It’s not that bad. A little pollution. ”
READ MORE: Mavs Luka Doncic will get MRI on ankle, contribute to ‘it’s not that bad’
Donkic’s ankle is the Mavericks’ most significant playoff injury since Dirk Nowitzki’s left knee sprained in Game 3 of the 2003 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. Nowitzki’s injury put Mavs’ head coach and training staff at odds, with Don Nelson eventually winning the debate and refusing to let his 24-year-old star play in games 4, 5 and 6 of the series that Dallas lost, 4-2.
Punched in the mouth and knocked to the canvas in a game that has been double-edged for most of the last 30 minutes, the Mavs have to come up – and grow up – in Sunday afternoon’s Game 4 in Orlando.
“What do you mean, ‘Can we make another run?’, ‘Tim Hardaway jr. Answered a question.’ It’s just 2-1. The last time I checked, first one to four wins. “
Wis. But they will need Luke. And even then … Doncic, only 21, has been brilliant all season and this series even better. But, um, he’s not Leonard. Not yet.
The two-time champion dominated at both ends for LA, blocking Hardaway Jr., stealing a pass from Doncic and continuously bullying Maxi Kleber’s brave defense. Leonard finished with 36 points, several times throbbing sniffs of a Dallas rally with important mandrels.
Doncic must be fluttering through the Clippers’ attention. But he was also flat.
Tired of Doncic’s catchy discs in the paint in the first two games, Clippers coach Doc Rivers threw his entire toolbox at the Mavs star early on. In the first six minutes of the match, Leonard, Paul George, Marcus Morris and Montrezl Harrell all took turns to follow Luka above the 3-point line. When he got into the paint, LA Doncic walked around and let him pass.
The Mavs, who made 13 of 29 3-pointers in Game 2, missed 26 of their 43 Friday nights.
Doncic, who was twice in the face in the first quarter, responded with five points, two assists and one resolute bark. Harrell stabbed Doncic with an accidentally intentional elbow to the lower back, after which Luka returned with a deliberate flap of his left arm that sent the rough 240 pounds on the way to court.
Doncic wrote to Harrell, “Stop flops, man!”
Each received a technical foul, and also sent their respective messages. The Clippers intended to bowl the Mavs; Dallas was not back.
“I liked the intensity,” Rivers said after the first 12 minutes. “I love our defense.”
The game was tied at 35-35 halfway through the second before the LA defense began to take its toll. Harder violation. The Mavs shooters step out one step further. Challenging at the edge.
The Mavs caught the bear in Game 2. In Game 3, the Clippers mumbled back.
