Still deprived of Patrick Beverley, Doc Rivers changes his tune after the defeat of Game 2 and puts Landry Shamet (18 points) in the starting five while Reggie Jackson, in great difficulty defensively in this series, finds his role as alternate for Los Angeles.
A tense start to the match
This third match begins on a much more defensive, intense basis and with many clashes between the two teams. The Clippers are more rigorous and tougher than in the last game and, quickly, Marcus Morris exchanges sweet words with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis (34 points, 13 rebounds). The entry into play of Montrezl Harrell only increases the tensions with Doncic who even throws at the pivot a “stop flopping” as the spirits heat up. At the end of the first quarter, the score is equal (23-23).
The Clippers finally manage to take the lead. Luka Doncic is hampered by the California defense and shows great clumsiness in this first half with only 30% success on shots and 40% on throws. Kristaps Porzingis and Seth Curry (22 points) however keep the Mavs in ambush (47-41).
Kawhi Leonard pulls out all the stops
This is the moment chosen by Kawhi Leonard to drive the point home. The MVP of the last finals scores two baskets in a row and puts his teammates in value. He returns to the locker room with 18 points while five other Clippers are at 8 or 9 points, including an always clumsy Paul George (2/10). The Dallas defense collects 45 points in this second quarter and the Mavs have a 14 point deficit at halftime (68-54).
Rick Carlisle’s men return to the field with the knife between their teeth and an alley-oop from Luka Doncic for Kristaps Porzingis concludes a 6-0 opening of the third quarter time (68-60).
Despite the offensive prowess of the Dallas duo, Los Angeles responds with a 10-3 thanks to two 3-points from Landry Shamet to put the Texans back on the ropes (78-63). The gap then oscillates between 15 and 10 points but each time the Mavs get closer, Kawhi Leonard is rife.
Luka Doncic on the ground
This third game turned into a nightmare for Dallas, however, when Luka Doncic severely twisted his left ankle while defending Kawhi Leonard.
The Slovenian hopped back into the locker room as a Landry Shamet buzzer beater put Dallas at -17 (102-85). With a quarter to play, Luka Doncic is trying to get back on the pitch. He has time to validate a new triple double before having to give up. In his absence, it is Seth Curry who takes his responsibilities and confirms his good form of the moment but the long distance address of the Clippers keeps Dallas at bay (114-98). However, the Mavs are not giving up. With eight minutes to go, Kristaps Porzingis throws a 9-1 which brings them back to -7 (115-108).
But as since the start of the match, Kawhi Leonard answers. An award-winning shot, followed by a left hand dunk in traffic puts the Clippers back in the saddle and the gap goes back above ten units (124-110).
The Porzingis – Curry – Hardaway trio, however, gives the Mavs hope. The Latvian exceeds the 30 point mark and against Ivica Zubac while Seth Curry and Tim Hardaway Jr (22 points) hit the mark from afar to bring Dallas to -9 with less than 90 seconds to go (128-119). Unfortunately for the Mavs, they will not manage to achieve the heist and find themselves down 2-1, but it is the ankle of Luka Doncic that particularly worries.
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