DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks hold a 2-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers heading into a crucial Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. With the game set for Sunday afternoon at American Airlines Center, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd stressed the importance of getting ahead of himself.
“This is a veteran ball club,” Kidd said of the Clippers. “There's nothing for us to celebrate because they were in every situation.” He stressed that the series victory would not be sealed unless the team won not just two games, but four.
April 26, 2024. Dallas, Texas, USA. Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Josh Green (8)
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The importance of Game 4 cannot be overstated. Historically, his overall record is 268-13 for teams that have gone 3-1 in the playoffs. However, if they lose, the series would be 2-2, with the Clippers potentially winning two home games. If Game 6 is likely to be played in Dallas, a Game 4 win would give them more room for error.
“We haven't accomplished anything,” Kidd said. “The series is still going on. We only won two games. We have a game tomorrow. We can play right away in the afternoon.”
There are also concerns about injuries. Luka Doncic is questionable due to soreness in his right knee, but Coach Kidd said he was feeling “fine'' after Saturday's practice. Tim Hardaway Jr. missed Game 3 with a sprained ankle and is questionable for Game 4. The Clippers are also dealing with their own issues. Kawhi Leonard hasn't been playing as well as he should, missing Game 1 and averaging just 12 points in subsequent games, suggesting the impact could be lasting.
“Right now, everyone's beat up, everyone's stiff, everyone's sore because of the way the series plays. But everyone's ready,” Kidd said. . “We know we have to be able to execute our game plan tomorrow afternoon, but our players are going to be sore and other players are going to have to step up. It's a characteristic of this period.”
The Mavericks learned from past experiences, especially the 2021 series against the Clippers, where they lost while leading. The team remains wary of the Clippers' ability to come back, as evidenced by the Clippers winning important games after falling behind in the previous series.
“(Game 4) is an important game,” Mavericks winger Josh Green said. “Have the mentality that (the series) is zero-zero. I think for us we just have to come in with the same energy and make sure we get the first hit tomorrow. It's going to be a tight battle. I understand that, but I want you to be fully prepared.”
The 101-93 victory in Game 3 highlighted the Mavericks' effective offense with 13 dunks, including eight lob dunks, and showed strategic play coordination.
“When the guards are going downhill from bigs screens, we have to make sure we get hits off those screens and force them downhill depending on the defense they're trying to throw at us.” said Gafford. What I always say is being in the right place at the right time. ”
Kidd emphasized the need to stay focused as the Mavericks have outscored the Clippers in recent games.
“Understand, we have to focus on what's in front of us, and that's Game 4,” Kidd said. “We’re going to continue to defend home, continue to get better defensively, continue to get even better offensively, continue to trust each other on both ends, continue to stay connected, continue to talk to each other, continue to help each other.”
The Mavericks will look to repeat their recent defensive success in Game 4 by significantly limiting the Clippers' scoring, a point of pride for Kidd and his team.
“We're trying to be one of the best defensive teams in the league, which is something we're proud of,” Kidd said. “Against the Clippers, who have (four) future Hall of Famers, they have weapons everywhere, so we're just trying to play tough.”
With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving challenging on defense and stepping up on offense, the Mavericks have created an interesting formula that has led to their second straight win in this series. Doncic is averaging 29.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists, far exceeding his own goals defensively. Irving improved after halftime in this series, averaging 20.0 of his 25.0 points in the second half and averaging 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals overall.
“I think the defense dictated the offense,” Doncic said. “I don't think we played great offensively, especially, but we won the game. That's all that matters.”
After scoring just two points at halftime of Game 3, Irving overcame foul trouble to score 19 points in the second half, making timely shots to stop the Clippers from scoring. He expressed maturity in prioritizing the team's success over the focus and concerns that naturally arise as a player when seeing a less productive scoring start than usual.
“When I was a young player, I sometimes struggled with intense moments, especially when you're used to having the ball in your hands or looking up at the scoreboard, which a lot of people happen to do. Just me. I know it’s not,” Irving said. “In some cases, if your point totals don't look right, it can take you out of the game. You can end up in a situation where you can't have a positive impact mentally. Something that doesn't get talked about a lot is the outside pressure on people to meet certain expectations for just one game.
“You're playing in the playoffs. If you look at the history of the game, there's no fancy formula that all these winning teams have had,” Irving continued, “They just keep fighting. , kept doing little things on the defensive end first and then allowed the offense to flourish. ”
“If you look at some of the greatest players in history, and you look at some of their down seasons, they didn't score a lot, but they had a big impact on the game,'' Irving concluded. “I try to take the same approach mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And make sure my physical gifts and abilities are unleashed at the right time and in the right situation. It's just being mature about it. Two points… At the end of the day, it's about winning the game.”
The Clippers' 90 points in Game 3 were the fewest of any Mavericks opponent this season. Furthermore, in Game 2, the Clippers only scored 93 points, the fourth-fewest points of any team facing Dallas this season. Continuing to focus on following the game plan, the Mavericks stepped up their defense. Green emphasized extensive film study since the final game of the regular season and the team's continued pursuit of the goal it set in training camp of holding opponents to 100 points or less. Upon achieving this goal, the team is 2-0 in the series and 11-0 on the season overall.
“In terms of preparation, I think from the moment the last game of the season ended, all the focus shifted to the Clippers,” Green said. “We've watched more film than we ever imagined, but we need to and this is just one of those situations where I'm here right now. So coaches are always looking at their opponents. We talk about keeping it under 100. That's what it is.''It's been a big focus since the first day of training camp, and I think it's paid off recently. ”
Green isn't the only Maverick to highlight the value of team film study through series preparation and continued gameplay. Gafford said this process made their execution ability “almost innate” and helped prevent the Clippers from attacking advantage spots or making routine plays.
“Studying film and paying attention to detail is very important, and we've been focused on transferring all of that to the game,” Gafford said. “We introduced this to our defense because we were driven by a sense of urgency to put our plans into action. I'm sure we frustrated them that day because we were doing what we had been working on and practicing and working through.”
“We worked so hard on this and were able to translate it so well into the game that it almost became natural to us. It turned out good for us,” Gafford said. explained. “We just have to be consistent with it.”
Game 3 saw more physical play and tensions that resulted in the ejection of Clippers guard Russell Westbrook and Mavericks forward P.J. Washington. Reflecting on the intensity of the game, Mavericks center Derek Lively II said:
“The officials haven't really made any calls, they're just trying to get us to play,” Lively said. “So it's going to be about which team comes out and throws the first punch and can take the punch and throw the next punch back. We're trying to be the aggressor all night long. ”
Despite the Clippers' struggling stars, Kidd is particularly wary of Paul George's ability to bounce back after scoring just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting in Game 3.
“I'm always thinking about Paul George leaving, Kawhi leaving, Harden leaving, Westbrook leaving,” Kidd explained. “For us, it's about continuing to try to make things as tough as possible. Once they get going, it's hard to stop them.”
As Game 4 approaches, the Mavericks are ready to defend their home court and extend their lead in the series. With Kidd's emphasis on defense, composure and team support, the Mavericks look to build on their current momentum and take a big step toward making the playoffs.
As the series heats up, the Mavericks are working hard to maintain composure and momentum, fully aware that every game, especially Game 4, is critical to their quest for a series victory.
