The Dallas Mavericks took a 54-41 lead into the third against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night despite Kyrie Irving scoring just two points, shooting 1-4 and suffering early foul trouble. It was half time of the match.
But, as he has all season, Irving picked up steam in the second half, scoring 19 points in the final 24 minutes, including eight points in the final 1:30 of the third quarter. . Again, his performance throughout the second half helped Dallas win 101-90, giving the Mavericks a 2-1 series lead over the Clippers.
“Sometimes when my point totals don't look right, it mentally takes me out of the game,” Irving said after Game 3. It's something that doesn't get talked about a lot in competitive sports, but it's the external pressure that people place on himself to meet certain expectations in just his one game. But you have to be an adult about it. Two points… At the end of the day, it's important to win the game.”
Irving finished seventh in the NBA in second-half points per game this season, so strong second-half scoring is the theme to build on Luka Doncic's preternatural first-half scoring. It has been on display throughout this series. In Game 1, he scored just six points in the first half, but scored 20 points in the third quarter. He averaged 25.0 points in this series, including 20.0 after halftime.
The Mavericks have a chance to put an end to this series in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon, and having a player with Irving's experience helps in such a scenario. His steady presence in clutch moments is a big reason why many Dallas fans think he should have been given more consideration for the Clutch Player of the Year award. Instead, he finished seventh in the voting.
“You're playing in the playoffs…If you look at some of the greatest players in history, their down moments, they didn't score a lot, but they had a big impact on the game. “I try to take the same approach mentally, emotionally and spiritually,” Irving told the media after Game 3, “and then use my physical talents and abilities in the right situations. I will be able to perform at the right time.”
Game 4 previews will be held from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas at 2:30 p.m. CST.
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