The LA Clippers humiliated Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round playoffs. Doc Rivers’ boys bounced back after suffering a nasty defeat in Game 4, to beat the Mavs 154-111.
This was the franchise record for the Clippers for the most points in a playoff game. Those who watched had an opportunity to see one very rough game that saw six technical fouls and one flagrant, along with the ejection for the Mavericks’ head coach Rick Carlisle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLZPpLcs0dg
Clippers created the swing in the middle of the first period, once they held the Mavs scoreless for four minutes, making a 19-0 series that saw them pulling away to a 12-point lead, which kept on growing until the end of the quarter. Eventually, it was 44-21 for the LAC, who didn’t stop but continued to pound and punish Dallas for each mistake.
It seemed that the team from LA wouldn’t stop, and that they have an enormous motive to trash the Mavs and send a statement after losing the previous game the way they did. This massive win is a sort of morale-killer, and it is interesting to see what is Dallas’s response.
Luka Doncic didn’t have one of those nights. The Slovenian scored just 22 points, shooting 6-for-17 from the field, making one three in six attempts, adding eight rebounds and four assists.
Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 with three assists, while Trey Burke scored 15. Maxi Keber finished with 12.
Kristaps Porzinigis once again sat out, due to his right knee soreness, and his absence is truly a big blow for the seventh-seeded team in the Western Conference. He is Dallas’ second scorer and Doncic’s replacement in the offense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zyd4metl34
Paul George finally played one game at his level. PG dropped 35 points in 25 minutes, smashing the Mavs’ defense with a superb field goal percentage, 12-for-18.
Kawhi Leonard was right behind him with 32 points in 30 minutes, and an almost identical shooting, 12-for-19. Montrezl Harrell, with 19 points and 11 boards, was massive support of the bench, while Marcus Morris with 12 and Landry Shamet with 11 did their part of the job pretty well.
The Clippers were superb with shooting tonight, hitting 63.1% from the field 53-for-84, and 62.9% from downtown 22-for-35. It is by far the best percentage seen in these playoffs.
LAC leads 3-2 in the series now, and has a match point. The next game is this Thursday.
