DALLAS, TX — The Dallas Mavericks host the next two games versus the Los Angeles Clippers. Game 3 kickoff in American Airlines Center Friday night in the first round of the Western Conference series.
The Mavericks, playing against the Clippers, secured a road win in Game 2 on Tuesday night with a final score of 96-93. Luka Dončić led Dallas with 32 points, followed by Kyrie Irving, who added 23.
Despite trailing 73-67, Dončić and Irving orchestrated a comeback late in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 straight points and taking an 81-73 lead.
P.J. Washington also had an impact on the three-point win, coming in clutch in the fourth quarter. Washington credited this hunger for victory to Dallas’ Game 1 loss to the Clippers.
“Obviously, it was a must-win and everybody was locked in,” said Washington. “They punched us in the mouth in Game 1 and we just wanted to respond.”
The Clippers got Kawhi Leonard back in Game 2 after not playing since March 31st due to inflammation on his right knee. Paul George said that they are happy to have Leonard back and has no doubt he will get his rhythm back quickly.
Los Angeles fell to the Mavericks due to their poor shooting making 32-of-87 attempts from the field, shooting 26.7% from deep, but doing well from the charity line only missing 5 of 26.
The Mavs will need to continue getting good minutes around the floor including guys like Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. As proven in Game 1, Kyrie and Dončić cannot carry the load alone. The Clippers look to regroup and dominate after getting Leonard back in the lineup. The hope is that he can quickly get back into the swing of things early on in the series.
These two teams will go head-to-head tonight in the American Airlines Center, tip-off set for 7 p.m. CT.
