3 thoughts on Mavs’ Game 1 win vs. Clippers: Luka Doncic unlocks new level of dominance to take upset lead

Here are three thoughts about the Mavericks’ 113-103 win over the Clippers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series:

Luka Doncic claims Round 1 over Kawhi Leonard

If it’s possible, Luka Doncic might have the power to unlock another level of dominance in the postseason.

The Mavericks’ 22-year-old superstar finished Game 1 with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his third triple-double in seven career playoff games. He tallied 21 points in the first half — his fifth 20-point half in his first seven playoff games — and made the Clippers pay, regardless of defensive attention and switches.

He bullied past Clippers point guard Patrick Beverly in the first half and gave Clippers center Ivica Zubac fits on mid-range and 3-point looks in the third quarter. Perhaps his only fault: Two of his three fouls were intentional against the Clippers in transition.

Kawhi Leonard powered the Clippers with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, but the Mavericks weathered nine fourth-quarter lead changes to seal their win.

Slow playoff return for Kristaps Porzingis

If Kristaps Porzingis’ first-half statistics were quiet, his second-half production was near silent.

Porzingis finished with 14 points and four rebounds, though four of his points came via two foul shots and a dagger dunk in the last two minutes. In his first playoff game since Game 3 against the Clippers in 2020, when he was playing through a torn right meniscus, Porzingis shot 4 of 13 from the field.

A couple of times in the third quarter, he missed shots in traffic and complained to referees about what he perceived as missed foul calls.

Replays showed Porzingis’ gripes were likely warranted, but in the battle of second stars, Porzingis still managed fewer contributions than the Clippers’ No. 2 superstar, Paul George (23 points, six rebounds, five assists).

Shorter rotation, bigger minutes

Before the series started, coach Rick Carlisle hinted he might shorten the Mavericks’ rotation for the playoffs, when TV timeouts during games are longer and the game schedule is less condensed than during the regular season.

Carlisle did in Game 1, and, in turn, his starters played big minutes.

In addition to Doncic’s 41 and Porzingis’ 36, starters Tim Hardaway Jr. (32 minutes), Dorian Finney-Smith (36 minutes) and Maxi Kleber (36 minutes) took on a major load — and provided major contributions down the stretch.

Meanwhile, Dwight Powell, who’d started 11 of the Mavericks’ last 16 games, played just seven minutes, none in the first half. Trey Burke, their No. 2 point guard in the 2020 playoffs, and rookie Josh Green, who’d taken on a larger role down the stretch, didn’t play Saturday.

The Mavs’ bench accounted for just 23 points, including 15 from Jalen Brunson.

The starters will have extra time to recover, as Game 2 won’t tip off until Tuesday night.

After the Mavericks’ last two-day break between regular-season games — April 19-20 — they answered with 10 wins in their next 12 outings.

They’ll need three in their next six to win their first playoff series since 2011.

The Mavericks won Game 1 of a playoff series for the first time since the 2010-11 Western Conference finals. At look at the Game 1′s during that stretch:

Season Opponent Round Result 2019-20 at LA Clippers* First round L, 118-110 2015-16 at Okla. City First round L, 108-70 2014-15 at Houston First round L, 118-108 2013-14 at San Antonio First round L, 90-85 2011-12 at Okla. City First round L, 99-98 2010-11 at Miami NBA Finals L, 92-84 2010-11 Okla. City West. Conf. finals W, 121-112

*Played in NBA bubble in Florida

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