Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks caved in under the pressure of the Los Angeles Clippers’ well-oiled offense.
In the NBA Playoffs, experience plays a huge factor in determining successful teams. Sometimes experience trumps talents in the situation. In other words, the perfect recipe for a successful team is a combination of talent and experience.
This was the tale of the first match between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks.
Luka Doncic dominated as usual
The young superstar looked like a veteran out there against the choking defense of the Los Angeles Clippers. Their opponent threw a slew of defensive players at him, yet he still managed to scored 42 points, an outing worthy of an NBA Playoff debut record.
Luka ended the game with an addition of 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and a career-low 11 turnovers. The last glaring stat is the result of the defense that covered him. From start to finish, Patrick Beverly, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard took turns bodying up Luka. For the most part, Luka ended with a trip to the line or a bump to a layup.
Doncic still scored efficiently with 61.9% overall from the field. He facilitated and broke down the Clippers’ non-existent cover on the paint.
Kristaps Porzingis was missed in his NBA Playoff debut
Unfortunately, Luka was without Kristaps Porzingis for the majority of the 2nd half. The ejection situation was a curious one. Porzingis contested a block attempt directly at the referee, but immediately composed himself. However, he was still given a tech.
On the second technical foul call, he looked like a player that had his emotions flared up. He just approached Morris, who was jawing at Doncic. Unfortunately, the referees saw it as an escalation, which resulted in him being thrown out of the game. He ended the game with just 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 19 minutes of play.
Early during the game, Doncic and Kristaps were unstoppable. Ivica Zubac and the Harrell had no answer for the pick-and-pop offense of the Mavs’ duo. Fans of either team will have to wait until their next game if adjustments will be made. However, based on Dallas’ outing today, analysts may be wrong in writing off the young Mavs this early.
They just have to be more consistent in draining the three-ball once Luka or Porzingis breaks the defense. As such, Hardaway Jr., Seth Curry, Maxi Kleber, and Finney-Smith all have to be armed and ready to shoot. Otherwise, their Playoffs debut as a team may become a short one.
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