5 takeaways from a defensive-minded Game 3

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DALLAS – Daniel Gafford embodied Dallas’ response to LA’s effort Friday night time to steal one at American Airways Middle.

Not right here. Not tonight.

A gametime resolution to play attributable to decrease again soreness, Gafford mustered the moxie to stuff Paul George chilly on the rim within the fourth quarter of the Mavericks’ 101-90 victory in Recreation 3 over the Clippers. The sequence highlighted Dallas’ resolve to guard house court docket earlier than a sellout crowd of 20,402.

It additionally despatched LA a message in regards to the problem it faces now, down 2-1 forward of Sunday’s Recreation 4 conflict in Dallas.

In a chippy affair that includes ejections of Russell Westbrook and PJ Washington, guard Luka Doncic produced his lowest scoring output of those playoffs. That mattered little within the face of a “lob metropolis” night time right here in Dallas bolstered one other second-half gem from Kyrie Irving.

Listed below are 5 takeaways from Recreation 3:

1. Lob Metropolis in Large D

The Clippers as soon as held the “Lob Metropolis” nickname through the period of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

The Mavs made it theirs for Recreation 3.

Dallas rocked the mic’d up rims, leaving the backboard bobbing all night time lengthy. The Mavs lobbed 5 profitable alley-oops for dunks within the first half that would’ve been six if not for a Derrick Jones Jr. miss.

Rookie Dereck Energetic II ripped 4 dunks off a pair of assists from Doncic, in addition to dimes from Irving and Dante Exum. Gafford initiated the lob social gathering on the 6:49 mark of the opening quarter off an Irving help.

In all, the Mavs tallied eight lob dunks.

Dallas inflicted harm all night time with its bigs. Energetic, Gafford, Jones and Washington mixed for 32 factors within the first half, because the Mavs outscored LA within the paint by 18 factors.

For the sport, Dallas outscored the Clippers within the paint, 52-38.

“Our bigs have been huge,” stated Dallas coach Jason Kidd. “I feel in Recreation 1 we didn’t exist there. However I assumed within the second half of Recreation 1 we confirmed up. Since that second half, we’ve been taking part in Mavs basketball.”

2. Second-half KAI

There’s a particular sample this collection of Doncic leaping on the Clippers within the first half, earlier than permitting Irving to get his shine on within the latter levels.

Irving repeated the blueprint in Recreation 3, scoring two factors within the first half on 1-for-5 taking pictures, as Doncic poured in a game-high tying 14 factors headed into intermission. Irving racked up 19 of his 21 factors within the second half with 11 coming within the closing body on 4-for-8 taking pictures.

Via the primary three video games on this collection, Irving has averaged 20 factors within the second half on 21-for-35 from the sphere, and 9-for-15 from 3-point vary with 8 whole rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals.

So, by now, the Clippers shouldn’t ever get lulled asleep by Irving’s gradual begins.

“[It’s] simply his calming impact,” Kidd stated. “He’s by no means in a rush. He’s by no means gonna panic. He feels that every part is below management.  The fellows belief him on the market on the ground. You possibly can see that within the second half.”

3. Doncic impactful with out huge numbers

Recreation 3 marked the primary time this collection Doncic completed with fewer than 30 factors or extra. However the 25-year previous managed to notch his second double-double of this postseason with a game-high 22 factors and 10 rebounds, additionally dishing 9 assists.

“Luka has to take what they’re giving,” Kidd stated. “The Clippers are a very good defensive workforce. They’re bodily with Luka.”

Nonetheless, Doncic served as catalyst for Dallas outscoring LA 36-18 within the second quarter. That helped the Mavs seize a 14-point lead on the half. The five-time All-Star scored 12 factors with 5 rebounds and 5 assists within the quarter.

Doncic additionally notched two steals, demonstrating his underrated prowess as a defender.

“He’s gonna take the problem,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stated. “When your finest participant takes that problem, you’re an entire totally different workforce. He’s not recognized for his protection. However stepping up, taking that problem and need[ing] to play guys 1-on-1, meaning loads. He’s doing a superb job of guarding our guys.”

Doncic was simply 2-for-13 from the sphere within the second half, however Dallas was in a position to capitalize on 10 Clippers turnovers over that span for 16 factors.

In all, the Mavs scored 29 factors off 19 LA turnovers.

4. James Harden reaches postseason milestone

Harden declined to talk to reporters after Recreation 3, however the veteran moved previous Magic Johnson to No. 16 in profession playoff factors (3,708). The 2018 Kia MVP tied Johnson within the second quarter with 9:08 remaining on a 24-foot stepback over Josh Inexperienced that gave LA a 32-25 lead.

The issue was Harden didn’t rating once more till simply 35.5 seconds remained within the third quarter. The purpose guard lastly handed Johnson in all-time postseason scoring by hitting a pair of free throws.

Harden scored 7 factors within the second half on simply 4 makes an attempt, regardless of taking part in a game-high 44 minutes.

5. No bounce-back recreation for Kawhi Leonard

You simply knew a Leonard bounce-back efficiency was loading, particularly after a pedestrian efficiency (by his requirements) in Recreation 2. The 32-year previous flashed constructive indicators on each ends in that outing, even whereas banging off rust from not taking part in since March 31 attributable to knee irritation.

Recreation 3 solely revealed the two-time Finals MVP nonetheless isn’t fairly himself.

Leonard performed simply 25 minutes, scoring 9 factors on 4-for-7 taking pictures with 9 rebounds and 4 turnovers. Lue admitted the membership remains to be exercising warning with the ahead as he continues to work his approach again.

Leonard performed simply 10 minutes within the first half.

“He’s looking for his approach again,” Lue stated. “We’re simply managing it. He has knee irritation. So, [we’re] simply being sensible, ensuring we’re doing proper by Kawhi, seeing how he feels. He’s nonetheless looking for his rhythm. We’ve received to verify we assist him do this.”

Along with scoring 15 factors in Recreation 2, the veteran notched seven rebounds and 4 steals in 35 minutes. The Clippers listed Leonard as questionable for Recreation 3. He’ll possible be given the identical designation for Recreation 4.

“The best way it’s now, I’ll see tomorrow,” Leonard stated. “However I need to play.”

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Michael C. Wright is a senior author for NBA.com. You possibly can e-mail him right here, discover his archive right here and comply with him on X.

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