With the playoffs underway, we're highlighting three game-changing plays in a new series for postgame analysis. It's easier than you think. Whether it's the start of a run, a closing play, a momentum shift, or just a crazy highlight, we'll introduce you to those plays and why they impact the game.
The Dallas Mavericks found themselves in trouble early in Game 1, trailing 34-22 at the end of the first quarter. While the offense was stagnant, the defense allowed Ivica Zubac to do whatever he wanted near the rim.
The Clippers defeated the Kawhi Leonard-less Mavericks 109-97, letting Dallas shine from beyond the arc with an 18-36 performance. Outside of Irving and Doncic, the Mavericks' offense has been lackluster and will need more contributions from the rest of the team going forward.
While the Mavericks adjusted to Zubac, the Clippers continued to adjust with James Harden at the helm, and here we go.
1. Harden gets a shooting foul on a 3-point shot in the second quarter.
Dallas didn't have much of an advantage in the second quarter, finishing the period with just eight points, but this was a moment when they had a chance to change the game instead of continuing to miss out.
With 5 minutes, 18 seconds left in the second quarter, instead of ruling that Harden kicked out his leg for an offensive foul, the referees incorrectly ruled it a shooting foul on Maxi Kleber.
What could have been an easy challenge for Jason Kidd as a coach, he instead decided to keep it in his back pocket. Harden made all three free throws and the Clippers ended the first half on an 11-2 run. That includes Harden's and-one on his next sequence.
Harden scored 20 points in the first half, giving the Mavericks a 56-30 lead at halftime.
2. Gafford missed a dunk in the third quarter.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic started to find some rhythm, combining for 29 of the Mavericks' 34 points, but they needed help from other players. Rather, it was a microcosm of the game up to this point.
Late in the third quarter, Daniel Gafford receives an inbounds pass and drives to the basket, but his dunk attempt hits the back iron and the Clippers run in the opposite direction, Gafford's late return and Norman Powell getting an open corner 3. did. into the play.
Despite a dynamic quarter from Irving and Doncic, moments like this allowed the Mavericks to cut the Clippers lead to just three points.
3. Kleber refused a 3-point shot in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks had cut their lead to 15 points midway through the fourth quarter, but they allowed a backcut dunk by Paul George in the set after a timeout. On the ensuing possession, Kleber had a chance for a kickout open three at the top of the key, but he rejected it to get back into pick-and-roll action with Doncic with seconds left on the shot clock.
Seconds later, Doncic had to pass the ball to Clever for a bailout three from far beyond the arc, but the shot hit the backboard and the rim.
When a team is trying to get back into the game in the second half, you can't turn down quality play like this on the perimeter, especially considering how the possession ended. Luka Doncic is Luka Doncic and you want to keep the ball in his hands as much as possible during stretches, but you also need to recognize when the quality looks are there.
Game 2 against the Clippers will be played Tuesday at 9pm CST at Crypto.com Arena.
