Cold-shooting Clippers fall to Luka Doncic, Mavericks in Game 1
4 years ago
Clippers #Clippers
The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard looks to pass the ball as the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic defends during the first half of Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers slam dunks agains the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers slam dunks agains the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks controls the ball against Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers scrambles for the loose ball against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shoots over Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks slam dunks against the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks slam dunks against the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dallas Mavericks bench reacts after a slam dunk by Dorian Finney-Smith (not pictured) of the Dallas Mavericks against the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers knocks away the basketball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks as teammate Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers looks on in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shoots a three point shot against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks looks on against the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots over Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots over Josh Richardson #0 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers passes against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against he Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers passes against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against he Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers reacts after a foul against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots over Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the LA Clippers in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Rajon Rondo #4 of the LA Clippers in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers passes against Maxi Kleber #42 and teammate Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers passes against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers is fouled by Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after shooting a three point shot against the LA Clippers in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers controls the ball against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers reacts against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers shoots a three point shot against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers slam dunks over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts after a slam dunk over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts after a slam dunk over Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic drives past the Clippers’ Nicolas Batum on his way to the basket during the second half of Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday afternoon at the Staples Center. Doncic had 31 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the Mavericks’ 113-103 win. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drivers to the basket against the LA Clippers in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts after drawing a foul and scoring against Josh Richardson (not pictured) of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket against Josh Richardson #0 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives tot the basket against Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks is fouled by Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers is called for a foul against Tyrell Terry #1 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers reacts after a foul in the second half of game one of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoff basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — It seems we have a tantalizing series brewing between two teams determined to rewrite their stories.
The Dallas Mavericks want to advance to the second round for the first time in a decade.
The Clippers are desperate to advance to a conference finals for the first time in franchise history.
The Mavericks took a step toward their goal Saturday afternoon, defeating the host Clippers, 113-103, in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series before an announced crowd of 6,117 at Staples Center.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 26 points and 10 rebounds and Paul George kept chipping away, and kept firing, turning it around after a 1-for-7 first half to finish with 23 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic finished with a triple-double for Dallas, leading the way with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in 41 minutes.
The Clippers held him to one point in the fourth quarter, but Dallas’ young superstar got help from his friends, who closed the contest with a 13-3 run. Jalen Brunson, the Mavericks’ dependable reserve, scored nine fourth-quarter points.
The Clippers were uncharacteristically cool from 3-point range, shooting just 27.5% (11 for 40), well below their 41.4% pace for the regular season. The NBA’s top free-throw shooting team during the season, the Clippers also missed costly free throws, going 18 for 24 from the line.
Kristaps Porzingis finished with 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
The Mavericks led 33-30 at the end of the first quarter, in which the Clippers fell behind by as many as 12 points early before scoring on 10 of 11 possessions to erase most of the deficit.
The Clippers introduced Doncic – or reintroduced, considering they spent time shadowing him in the six first-round playoff games the teams played last year in the Florida bubble – to a variety of defenders, but still he bolted out of the blocks with 12 points, four rebounds and four assists in the first quarter. He went into the break with 21 points and six assists and his side leading 60-55 following an 11-2 kick into halftime.
Rondo started the game 2 for 2 from 3-point range; the rest of the Clippers shot just 2 for 16 from behind the arc in the first half.
Leonard was assertive early for the Clippers too, going 4 for 7 for 13 points in the opening period. He finished the first half with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Clippers tried to tighten up defensively in the third period with plays like a Leonard steal and slam that trimmed the Dallas lead to 75-73 and brought the not-socially-distant crowd in the vaccinated section of the stands to its collective feet.
But still, Dallas scored 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting and took an 86-80 lead into the fourth period.
