Luka Doncic, Mavericks rally past Kawhi Leonard, Clippers to steal Game 1

Which Western Conference team faces most pressure to make deep run in NBA playoffs?

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LOS ANGELES — The NBA playoffs just began, which means the Los Angeles Clippers are struggling once again.

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Clippers 113-103 in Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday at Staples Center. This happened less than a year after the Clippers failed to advance past the second round after squandering a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets.

Mavericks guard Luka Doncic finished with 31 points while shooting 11-of-24 from the field and 5-of-11 from 3-point range. He also pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out 11 assists to record the triple-double. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard countered with 26 points on 9-of-22 shooting. But it wasn’t enough. Paul George added 23 points, but he missed his first seven shots.

© Harry How, Getty Images Ty Lue and the Clippers had no answers for Luka Doncic.

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Game 2 is on Tuesday at Staples Center. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic, Mavericks rally past Kawhi Leonard, Clippers to steal Game 1