Five thoughts on the Dallas Mavericks' 116-111 loss in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers:
conclusion
With a home win in Game 4, the Mavericks had a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven first-round series. How imperative? Entering the playoffs this season, teams he leads 3-1 in the series, he continues to win 95.4% of the time, 268-13.
With the loss Sunday afternoon, Dallas lost home court advantage and the series was tied 2-2. This sets up a crucial Game 5 to be played in Los Angeles on Wednesday. In NBA history, if the series is tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 will win the series 188-42 with an 81.7% chance.
rally
With 5:43 left in the second quarter, James Harden's 3-pointer gave the Clippers a 55-24 lead. Dallas fought back, scoring 52 of the next 73 points, and with 1:36 left in the third quarter, Kyrie Irving's 3-pointer cut the lead to 78-76.
The Clippers pushed their advantage back to 92-81, but Derrick Jones Jr.'s 3-pointer with 8:31 left sparked another comeback. Luka Doncic's 3-pointer with 5:03 remaining tied the game at 98 points, the first time the score had been tied 0-0.
Kyrie Irving's layup with 2:14 left gave Dallas its first lead, 105-104, after going 8-7 in the opening minutes of the game.
paul george explodes
Self-anointed Paul “Playoff P” George entered Game 4 and averaged 40% shooting while scoring just 51 points in the series, including just 9 points in Game 3. I could only obtain it. In Games 2 and 3, he totaled as many fouls as field goals. Ten.
However, in Game 4, George scored 16 points in the first quarter and 26 points by halftime, finishing with 33 points. He was particularly effective at shooting 3-pointers, completing 7 out of 10 attempts.
There's no cuteness, no problem
Clippers President Lawrence Frank announced before the game that an “organizational decision” had been made to keep six-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard out due to recurrence of pain and inflammation in his right knee.
Frank said it was clear to everyone in the organization, including Leonard, that he wasn't himself in Game 3, when he had nine points and nine rebounds while being limited to 25 minutes of court time.
“The obvious question is, 'When is he coming back?' I can't give you a timeline,” Frank said. “I wish I had a crystal ball. Basically, it'll be until he can prove he can make all the moves he needs to make. At that point, he'll be back. That would be the deadline.”
Just like they did without Leonard in Game 1, the Clippers jumped out to a big early lead. In Game 1, they led 34-22 after the first quarter. In Game 4, the score was 39-16 after one quarter.
Dallas' defense is sluggish
The Clippers scored 93 points in Game 2 and 90 points in Game 3, their lowest scoring streak against the Mavericks this season. But on Sunday afternoon, the Clippers shot 61% in the first quarter and 54% by the end of the game, finishing with 116 points.
Game 4 story
— Mavericks' Luka Doncic talks about his health and knee pain after Game 4 against the Clippers
— Kyrie Irving's outburst after a scoreless first quarter was the Mavs' only shot in the Game 4 rally.
— Kawai isn't there, but is that a problem?Clippers tied business vs. Mavericks series 2-2.
— Game 1 deja vu?Mavericks' slow start squanders chance to beat Clippers in Dallas
— What Clippers coaches Tyronn Lue and Paul George said after beating the Mavericks in Game 4
— FULL COVERAGE: Mavericks cede homecourt advantage to Clippers, series tied 2-2
