Home » Sport » Luka Doncic on the tie with the Clippers: “I think we can fight them”

Luka Doncic on the tie with the Clippers: “I think we can fight them”

The Mavericks de Dallas enjoyed a 71-66 lead over the Clippers early in the second half of the first game of the Western Conference first-round series, when starting forward Kristaps Porzingis was sent off for a double technical foul, which was challenged for NBA license plate, including the Lakers star, LeBron James.

After Porzingis’ departure, Los Angeles recovered and won the opening match 118-110 on Monday.

It was too early to predict if the Mavericks would have been able to take the victory if the exit of Porzingis did not occur, who had 14 points and six rebounds at the time of his expulsion.

The second round came Wednesday, and with Porzingis on the court from start to finish, the story was different.

Dallas scored a 127-114 win to tie the series to one win per side. It was also the Mavericks’ first win in a postseason game since 2014. Game 3 will be played today.

Porzingis played 36 minutes and had 23 points with seven rebounds.

The truth is that the Mavericks have the material to complicate the existence of the Clippers, second seed in the West, at the start of the playoffs.

Before the pandemic season stopped, Dallas was on track to make a strong return to the postseason thanks to the performance of reigning Rookie of the Year sensational Luka Doncic.

In fact, Doncic made Game 1 history by scoring 42 points, the most for an NBA postseason debutant. The mark was held by George Mikan with 37 points scored in 1949. In addition, the Slovenian has 70 points in two games, beating Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 69 points.

Doncic is confident the Mavericks can fight the Clippers — NBA title favorites.

“I think we can fight them. To any series that we go, we will create that we will win, for sure. If you don’t believe it, you shouldn’t be here. You have to believe it “Doncic, 21, told ESPN after scoring 28 points in the second game.

Apparently the Mavericks are buying the movie and the Clippers need to be concerned.

Doncic didn’t see much action in the second half of the second match due to foul problems. But in their absence, Dallas backup players responded big.

Solid the collective game

Trey Burke, Seth Curry and the tall Boban Marjanovic finished with double-digit points. The Mavericks bench outscored the Clippers 47-37. Dallas also dominated the assists department, 25-16.

“So we are going to have to win games. Our depth will be an important part of winning ”, said Rick Carlisle, manager of the Mavs.

The Clippers contributed 35 points from Kawhi Leonard in a losing effort, but Paul George was not a factor with 14 points, shooting only four times on 17 field attempts.

“I think your bank played better than our bank and our holders”, rDoc Rivers, Clippers coach, reacted.

Los Angeles was without the services of Patrick Beverly in Game 2 due to a calf injury. Rivers is uncertain if the point guard will be back for the next game. Beverly scored eight points with five rebounds in 20 minutes in the first game.

Despite not looking dominant as expected against the Mavs, whom they defeated four times in a row before Wednesday’s setback, George is confident the team can take control of the series with a team that has high expectations since he and Leonard they joined the franchise last summer. “

We expect a tough duel, we expect a strong challenge, but the good thing is that we are ready to face it, ”said George.

On the Barea bank

Meanwhile, Puerto Rican point guard José Juan Barea did not play in the first two games with the Mavericks.

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