In a game marked by intense defense and heated exchanges, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 101-90 win on Friday night.
The Mavericks grabbed a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series after a chippy game against the Clippers.
Led by their star player, Luka Dončić, who narrowly missed a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, the Maverick’s defense secured them a Game 2 victory in Los Angeles.
The win also marked a significant redemption for Dallas, who suffered three consecutive first-round losses on their home court against the Clippers three years prior.
Rookie sensation Dereck Lively II made an impact, scoring all 13 of his points in the first half, while Daniel Gafford contributed with emphatic defensive plays, including a highlight-worthy block against Paul George in the fourth quarter.
The Clippers, despite the efforts of stars James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard, struggled to find their rhythm offensively.
Harden scored 21 points and was limited to just seven points in the second half, while George and Leonard failed to make a significant impact on the game.
The game got pretty chippy in the fourth quarter when Russell Westbrook’s aggressive foul on Dončić sparked a series of confrontations.
The intensity resulted in multiple technical fouls and ejections, including Westbrook and P.J. Washington.
Dončić had a poor outing, shooting the ball, going 7 of 25 from the field.
However, the Mavericks’ defensive efforts held the Clippers’ star players in check.
With Game 4 looming on Sunday in Dallas, the Mavericks look to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their home-court advantage as they look to secure a commanding lead in the series.
Travis Tyler