3 thoughts after the Dallas Mavericks wreck the Los Angeles Clippers, 123-93

Kyrie Irving started the party for Dallas with an early lefty bank shot followed by a crisp assist to P.J. Washington for a dunk. Scoring came easily for both teams despite stout defense with the Mavericks leading 10-9 around the 8:30 mark. Zubac got it done early for Los Angeles scoring eight in the period. The teams exchanged buckets throughout the quarter, with Dallas getting five dunks, while the Clippers buried three threes. Dallas took a 25-24 lead into the second period.

Dallas continued to play with pace in the second quarter, with forays into the paint followed by good-looking threes. Maxi Kleber connected on three threes in the first half of the quarter to help extend the Dallas lead. The Clippers answered with repeated drives and tough baskets which slowly worked them back into the game. Dallas maintained their lead by getting into sets early and getting great looks or drawing fouls. Daniel Gafford flushed a 40-foot ally oop from Irving to give Dallas their first double-digit lead. The Mavericks led at half, 56-46.

Los Angeles came out of the half a bit rusty, committing three turnovers. Dallas didn't look much sharper, they maintained the lead early in the frame. Irving brought the Maverick bench to their feet with an electric and-one layup following a pickpocket of Harden to give Dallas a 12-point lead. Doncic followed that up with a midrange jumper, forcing a Clipper timeout. Strong Maverick defense left the Clippers looking discombobulated; Doncic took advantage driving every possession, connecting in the lane, and getting to the line. A wild transition play between Irving and Doncic was broken up by Westbrook but finished by Jones Jr., who flew down the lane for an and-one dunk. The Dallas lead grew to 25 before a Clipper run cut the lead to 16. Josh Green's four-point play off a made corner three swallowed the Los Angeles momentum. Dallas led 89-69 heading into the final frame.

The physical play continued in the fourth, even as Dallas let up the gas some in the fourth quarter. Dallas kept coming through offensively, building the lead back up to 27 points before Lue finally threw in the towel around the five-minute mark with Dallas up 30. A.J Lawson and Jaden Hardy got their first playoff minutes of the 2024 campaign. Hardy made the most of his minutes, helping keep the lead with 14 points in the closing minutes (he outscored James Harden!). The Mavericks head home with a 3-2 series lead after defeating the Clippers 123-93.

Keep pushing the pace, Luka!

Doncic has an innate desire to control the flow of the game offensively, which often means Doncic or Dallas securing the rebound, followed by a light jog up the floor. This allows the defense time to get set as Luka figures out how he wants to dissect the defense. The Clippers are long defensively and there are some easier mismatches for Luka, but the reality is when he walks the ball up the floor, he's minimizing elements of the Dallas athleticism and finishing ability.

Before tonight's contest, Irving was shooting a hysterical 95.8% effective field goal percentage in transition in this series. And he's just one weapon! Luka pushed in the first three quarters, which really put the Clippers on their heels. He got into sets earlier, went downhill towards the rim faster, and forced the issue. Luka Doncic is a force of nature when he's on the move. He should keep forcing the issue and make defenses stop him.

Kyrie Irving's inspired play

If you're trying to explain this game to someone on Thursday morning, Kyrie's impact will be hard to explain if looking at the box score (14 points, six assists, four rebounds). Statistically, he played a fine game, but his pushing of the pace, his passing, and his sheer effort were electric. In the third he was called for a horrible foul, diving on the floor for a loose ball, but it was one of many plays throughout the game that brought his teammates to their feet. His aforementioned 40-foot oop before the half was one of the most astounding passes I've seen in this series. His defense was simply outstanding. I'm rambling at this point, but Kyrie was great, and it should not get lost in the shuffle of the blowout.

Answering the call

The Dallas role players stepped up in almost every way imaginable and on the road! It's hard to know where to start, but Maxi Kleber's threes helped keep the Clippers at bay in the second, setting up the Mavericks to run them off the floor in the third. Derrick Jones Jr. did double duty, with incredible individual and team defense to go with 12 points. Dereck Lively's 12 points and seven boards were a nice bonus to go along with his monstrous defensive presence. I could keep going. Dallas needed everyone to step up to have a game like this, and the Dallas Mavericks team did just that.

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