Luka Doncic Gets Triple Double VS Los Angeles Clippers
Brian Bayless Posted on 5/22/2021.
The Los Angeles Clippers needed six games to knock out Dallas in 2020 when these teams met in the playoff bubble in Orlando a year ago during the opening round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. This game went back and fourth until Dallas pulled away at the end.
Luka Doncic had to carry the Mavericks a year ago. This time around he had Kristaps Porzingis complimenting him.
Saying Luka Doncic balled out would be an understatement. Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic had 31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds getting the first triple double of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. This felt more like a team win with shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. having 21 points going 5/8 on his three point shots.
Dallas Mavericks small forward Dorrian Finney-Smith had 18 points for Dallas in game 1. Dallas Mavericks power forward Kristaps Porzingis had 14 points. Dallas looked like a team that had complete talent at every position except the center position in their starting five.
The Los Angeles Clippers have talented players in their starting five. Their problem is they continue to rely on Kawhi Leonard at small forward and Paul George at shooting guard. The Dallas Mavericks still have Rick Carlisle at head coach as he's remained the Mavericks head coach since they won the 2011 NBA Finals. The Clippers just looked very sloppy and undisciplined without their former head coach Doc Rivers.
Game 2 of this series resumes on Tuesday. This is a must win game for the Clippers. Los Angeles does not want to go to American Airlines Arena down 2-0 in this series with the Dallas Mavericks having home court only needing two out of three home wins.