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The Dallas Mavericks defeated the LA CLIPPERS 96-93 Tuesday night to even the first round of their Western Conference series at one game apiece.
Luka Doncic scored 32 points, 9 assists and six rebounds. Aside from leading all scorers, Luka also did the intangible things. He inspired the Mavs to locking down the Clippers, making them shot 36.8% from the floor, their lowest field goal percentage of the season. Kyrie Irving added 23 points to support his co-star.
“What I’ve learned with Luka is that you’ve got to trust him,” Irving said after the win. “He’s an incredible leader next to me, and we empower people to have a voice. And when he’s emotional, he’s honest. I’d rather be out there with someone who’s emotional and wants to get better for himself and the team than someone who’s quiet, allowing things to happen and depending on everyone else to step in. He’s one of those leaders who just wants to make his presence be felt.”
In his first game since March 31 suffering from inflammation on his surgically repaired right knee, Kawhi Leonard shook some dust off and scored 15 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes of play. “I was just trying to make sure I could get into the game and play,” Leonard said. “That’s what my last week has been about, trying to get back on the floor.”
James Harden and Paul George led the Clippers with 22 points each while center Ivica Zubac contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds.
The Mavericks win on the road gives them home court advantage when Game 3 resumes at the American Airlines Center in Dallas this Friday, April 26 at 5 PM PST.
