3 thoughts on Mavs’ Game 2 win over Clippers: With more Luka Doncic history, Dallas’ playoff outlook changes

Here are three thoughts about the Mavericks’ 127-114 win over the Clippers in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

More Luka Doncic history

Despite spending much of the second half on the bench in foul trouble, Doncic compiled another historic postseason performance.

Through his first two playoff games, Doncic has scored 70 points, the most in NBA history. Doncic passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who scored 69 nine points with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1970. George Mikan with the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League holds the all-time mark at 75 points.

Doncic, who finished Wednesday with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, again finished just short of the first triple-double in Mavericks’ postseason history. The performance came two nights after Doncic set a record for most points (42) in an NBA playoff debut.

Could more history be in store for Doncic? The Clippers’ defensive plan against Doncic is unclear in upcoming contests.

Patrick Beverley, one of Los Angeles’ best defenders, missed Game 2 with a strained left calf, the same injury that kept him out of seeding five games before the playoff started, and Clippers coach Doc River said he’s uncertain about Beverley’s availability after Wednesday.

Foul trouble all around

One way to slow the Clippers’ star duo: foul trouble.

Paul George picked up three fouls before the end of the first quarter, limiting his playing time through the remainder of the half. George didn’t score his first bucket until four minutes into the third quarter and finished with 14 points and shot 4 of 17 from the field.

Officials also called George for his second technical foul in as many games in the series after he argued a call in the third quarter.

Doncic, meanwhile, spent most of the third quarter on the bench.

He drew his third foul in the final seconds of the first half during a collision with Kawhi Leonard in the wing, picked up his fourth less than two minutes into the third quarter and his fifth in the opening seconds of the fourth.

While sidelined, Doncic paid little attention to the barriers separating his seat from the court, walking along the sideline and cheering through each possession.

Has the Mavericks’ outlook changed?

Watching both No. 1 seeds lose their playoff openers Tuesday confirmed for Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle what he’d believed throughout the NBA’s restart this summer: There’s “great opportunity” for every team in this unprecedented, centralized playoff setting.

Through two games against the Clippers, who swept the Mavericks during the regular season, Dallas has shown their contention against a Finals favorite.

The Mavericks’ showed control and poise in Game 1 before Kristaps Porzingis’ early third-quarter ejection hampered their rhythm. Dallas never trailed Wednesday and led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter thanks to a 13-2 run to close the third quarter.

The Mavericks — with four of their five starters playing in the first postseason of their careers — are by no means favored in what’s become a best-of-five series. After all, reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard dominated with his physical style again, tallying 35 points, 10 rebounds and two assists and went 13 of 14 at the foul line.

But Dallas’ performance through two games has embodied the upset threat Carlisle has sensed in the last six weeks.

Find more Mavericks stories from The Dallas Morning News here.