'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After bowing to the Dallas Mavericks 96-93, the LA Clippers are in Texas to reclaim their home-court advantage. Kawhi Leonard, who looked rusty in his return, had been cleared for Game 3 so the visitors were at full strength before tip-off. LA looked to erase that sorry loss with a potential road win against the Luka Doncic-led squad.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks game player stats and box scores
LA Clippers game player stats and box scores
Dallas Mavericks game player stats and box scores
Game Summary
The LA Clippers looked ready and pounced on the Mavericks who looked a bit disjointed to start the game. Los Angeles bared its teeth on defense early and took a 23-18 lead after the first 12 minutes ended.
After a lethargic start, the home team unleashed its fury in the second quarter. Luka Doncic and a surprising boost from Dereck Lively II off the bench were the catalysts of Dallas' big second-period run. The Mavericks defense responded and returned the favor on the Clippers by limiting them to 18 points.
The Dallas Mavericks held a 54-41 advantage as both teams exited for the halftime break.
The third quarter had a '90s basketball vibe due to the physicality and defensive battle. Neither team could pull away as the star-studded perimeter of both teams struggled to put the ball into the basket. The LA Clippers surprisingly kept in step despite Kawhi Leonard playing out of sorts. The Dallas Mavericks took a 78-67 advantage with the fourth quarter underway.
A game that was chippy for most of the game almost went wild by the halfway point of the final quarter. Russell Westbrook, who has done a solid defensive job against Luka Doncic, was again in the middle of the fracas.
"Brodie" fouled "Luka Legend" hard before he slung him around, forcing Dallas Mavericks players to rush to their superstar. Westbrook, who was already called for a Flagrant Foul 1 in the second quarter, was given a technical and tossed out. P.J. Washington, who went nose-to-nose with the LA Clippers guard was also ejected.
The Mavs held on and even cruised toward the finish line to grab a 101-90 win to take a 2-1 series lead.
Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden's 3-pointers tonight
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were a measly 2-for-7 combined from behind the arc in the first 24 minutes of the game.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard didn't attempt one from the same range but Paul George made just 1-of-3 tries. James Harden led everyone by making all but one of his attempts from deep.
"The Claw" eventually finished the game without one attempt from deep. George connected in one out of six tries while Harden ended with a 5-for-8 clip from rainbow distance for the LA Clippers.
"Luka Legend" and "Uncle Drew" didn't fare much better either for the Dallas Mavericks. They had a combined 6-for-20 line from the same range.
