Mavs 113, Clippers 103

[mavsluvr]

Nice job writing about the Mavs! Let me add a little about the Clips.

CLIPS MISS DOC - CAN’T CONTROL RONDO

With 7:05 on the 4th quarter clock, the Clippers had finally begun to look like the favorites they are. Err, were. Doncic’s first half heroics were looking less and less sustainable. The Mavs’ early lead had evaporated. Paul George had seemingly found his stroke. And playoff vets Nicholas Batum and Rajon Rondo had ably replaced a couple of flailing starters (guys who are clearly outclassed in this series). 

And then something changed. 

All NBA first teamer, multiple time champ, and erstwhile playoff MVP Kawhi Leonard took his last shot. His last look at the basket actually. Until the game was essentially out of reach. 

For a period of 5 minutes and 31 seconds (10 possessions), Kawhi didn’t get a sniff. Rondo got his. So did Playoff Paul. They combined to score 6 points on 8 attempts (6 FGs and 2 FTs). Would’ve been 9 but for Tim Hardaway, Jr. drawing a charge. And Kawhi? He got none. That 6 points in 10 possessions, by the way, computes to a dismal offensive rating of 60.0. 

In that same timeframe, the Mavs scored 13. A 2 point deficit turned into a 5 point lead. A 5 point lead with a minute and a half to go. It was too much. It was too late. 

Coach Tyrone Lue called a timeout. Someone (not Rondo) apparently reminded the Clips that Kawhi plays for them. Kawhi attempted 2 FGs and a pair of FTs from there. But the high-risk D they were forced to play at the other end yielded easy baskets and then FTs for the Mavs. Not even Kawhi could affect the outcome by that point. 

And so it was that Mavs fans came to rejoice. Clips fans to gnash their teeth. And one free-agent-to-be named Kawhi Leonard began to think about what life could be in some other city on some other team.

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