In Game 5, the Dallas Mavericks dominated the second half to win 123-93 and take a 3-2 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers, outscoring Los Angeles 67-47 in the final 24 minutes. . The “role” players really shined in this game, making it a game controlled by the defense.
While P.J. Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. anchored the perimeter, Maxi Kleber had his best shooting performance of the season, and Derek Lively II brought energy and energy down low, it was a clinic by the Mavs. Ta.
It was an even first quarter with 12 lead changes in the first 12 minutes and the Mavericks leading by just one point after the first quarter. They would not relinquish the lead in the remaining games.
We start playing in the second quarter.
The Mavericks were waiting for someone other than Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to score points and take the pressure off the Mavericks' star players. Maxi Kleber entered the game with 15 total points despite only taking 11 shots so far in the series.
This drive and kick to Doncic's cleverness opened the door for the German player. He hit four 3-pointers in the second quarter alone, matched his scoring output on 5-of-7 shooting from 3-point range, and finished the game with 15 points. Series total. The rest of the Mavericks are just 9-of-32 from three points, and it's safe to say they wouldn't be able to build a double-digit lead at halftime without Kleber's contributions.
By the way, Kleber's 5-of-7 performance is the most he's made in a single game this season. He had four hits against the Bucks in February, but had no other game this season with more than two triples.
Kyrie Irving is a magician and there is no other way to describe his handles and this finish.
It is important to understand the context that led to this. Irving had just been called. Previously, it was a foul on a loose ball in possession, but it was a questionable call at best. He was on the ground first, got to the ball first, and Amir Coffey jumped over Irving, but a foul on Irving was still called.
In the very next sequence, Irving pickpockets former Brooklyn Nets teammate James Harden, flashes a bit of a behind-the-back move, and scores a layup despite being fouled by Norman Powell on an and-one. Ta. And of course, he covered the and-one and made the bonus free throw.
This play started a 14-0 run for the Mavericks in the third quarter, taking the Mavericks from a nine-point lead to a 23-point lead. Derrick Jones Jr. Massive Slam. The Clippers missed 16 of 17 field goals to end the second quarter and start the third, but the Mavericks' offense was converting on the other end.
The Clippers made one last effort to get back into the game in the third quarter. After the Mavs led by 25 points, the Clippers responded with a quick 11-2 run to cut the lead to 16 points with seconds left in the quarter.
Josh Green has struggled to score in this series, coming into the game shooting just 3-of-10 from this series. He was just 1-for-3 in this game, but that one make turned into a four-point play on the corner that pushed the lead back to 20 points entering the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks cruised to a 30-point victory in a must-win Game 5, bringing in Doncic and Irving with about six minutes left, giving them both a much-needed rest, and the lead never dipping below 18 points again.
Here are some stats to tell you a little more about this match. Jaden Hardy (14 points) edged out the Clippers' James Harden (7 points) despite playing just five minutes for Harden's 33 points. This alone tells you what kind of game it was for the Clippers. Trying to score the ball. LA entered Game 5 having shot 43.5% from 3-point range in the series, but was just 9-of-35 in this game, their lowest 3-point percentage of any of these playoffs at 25.7%.
No player on the Clippers scored more than 15 points. Luka Doncic scored 35 points by himself while playing through illness and a sprained knee. Dallas controlled nearly every aspect of this game.
Dallas has two chances to end this series, starting with Game 6 at home on Friday at 8:30 p.m. CST, where they will wear the black “City” edition jerseys.
Read more: Luka Doncic leads Dallas Mavericks to Game 5 win over Clippers, leading series 3-2
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