Clippers-Mavericks: 5 takeaways from foiled Recreation 4 comeback – NBA.com

James Harden steps up, Dallas can't fairly catch up and issues are trying up for LA with the collection now tied at 2-2.
Michael C. Wright
James Harden delivers a classic efficiency to maintain the Clippers forward of the Mavericks regardless of a livid 4th-quarter rally.
• Download the NBA App
DALLAS — Little by little, LA’s 31-point lead disintegrated.
As soon as Kyrie Irving drove for a bucket with 2:15 left to finish a Dallas rally that lastly pushed the Mavericks forward 105-104, one thing fascinating passed off.
“I checked out you, and also you have been trying loopy,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue recalled. “I mentioned, ‘We’re OK.’ They’re a terrific group. Kyrie and Luka [Doncic] are gonna make photographs. We knew they might make a run. But additionally, we didn’t suppose we’d come into the constructing and be up 31 factors.”
It’s true Lue locked eyes with media members after Irving’s clutch bucket, mouthing “We’re OK” as deafening chaos unfolded at American Airways Middle, minutes earlier than LA closed a 116-111 win over the Mavericks in Recreation 4.
Regardless of lacking star ahead Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers now consider “we’ve seen the blueprint” for successful this collection, in keeping with guard James Harden. The series strikes Wednesday to Los Angeles tied 2-2 for Recreation 5 (10 ET, TNT).
In NBA historical past, groups breaking a 2-2 tie in Recreation 5 in a best-of-seven collection have gone on to take the entire thing greater than 80% of the time.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the matchup:
1. James Harden: ‘It was a present’
That’s how Harden described what transpired in Recreation 4. It turned out to be a celebrity duo duel. The foursome of Harden, Paul George, Irving and Doncic mixed for 135 factors.
Harden and George got here collectively for 66 factors and 15 assists, changing into the seventh pair of Clippers teammates to complete a postseason sport with 30-plus factors. Irving scored a game-high 40 factors with seven rebounds and 5 assists, whereas Doncic notched his first triple-double of the postseason.
It marked Doncic’s fourth profession triple-double within the playoffs. Curiously, they’ve all come towards the Clippers.
“It was a present,” Harden mentioned. “It was elite, expert, Corridor of Fame basketball gamers going at it. There’s solely a lot you are able to do defensively. All of us are clearly scorers. However we are able to move as effectively. That makes it tough. I feel it’s whoever comes up with the stops. We have been those that received the stops consecutively.”
2. One other good quarter for Kyrie
We’ve now seen three quarters this collection through which Irving shot 100% from the sphere on 5 or extra area objective makes an attempt. Sure, Irving dedicated a playoff career-high seven turnovers in Recreation 4. However they didn’t knock any luster off an in any other case sturdy efficiency.
Irving hit 5-for-5 in the second quarter with a trio of 3s Sunday for 16 factors as Dallas minimize LA’s lead from 31 factors to 17 at intermission.
Within the third quarter of Recreation 1, Irving hit 8-for-8 for 20 factors. Irving related on all 5 of his area objective makes an attempt within the second quarter of Recreation 2 for 16 factors.
The Mavs might need accomplished the Recreation 4 comeback had they not scored 16 factors within the opening body earlier than falling behind by 31. Dallas trailed the complete second half till Irving’s layup with 2:15 remaining.
3. Silver linings in Kawhi Leonard’s absence
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank introduced forward of Recreation 4 that the group had ruled out Leonard indefinitely on account of proper knee irritation.
As devastating as that sounds, maybe LA ought to glean positives from this newest bout of adversity. The Clippers have proven the flexibility to excel with out their brightest star, most just lately with their 2-0 document with out him to this point within the playoffs.
“It was apparent in Recreation 3 his mobility was severely restricted,” Frank mentioned. “Principally, till he can present he could make all of the actions he must make, that’s when he’ll come again.”
Leonard missed the final eight video games of the common season and the postseason opener. The Clippers completed 5-4 over that span, earlier than falling twice with Leonard again within the fold.
“After all, you at all times need to have your greatest participant,” Lue mentioned. “I feel the blessing in disguise for us is Kawhi lacking these final three weeks of the season and us with the ability to play a sure model with him being out. So, it wasn’t new for us to have the ability to play this model of basketball as a result of we’ve gotten observe.”
4. Paul George steps up
Dialed-up aggression from George manifested itself as one of the crucial vital byproducts from Leonard’s absence. The veteran wing scored 33 factors with eight assists and 4 steals.
Heading into the sport, Lue made positive to articulate how George’s function wanted to alter.
“He understands what we want from him, how we want him to play,” Lue mentioned.
Avoiding foul hassle checked in at No. 1.
Officers whistled George for 4 fouls in Recreation 1 and 5 in each Video games 2 and three. That restricted George’s aggression on the defensive finish whereas disrupting his capability to fall into the circulation of video games.
Lue alleviated potential points with fouls for George by taking away the assignments of guarding Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
By doing that, Lue hoped George would “be extra offensive-minded.”
The transfer labored to the tune of 26 factors for George on 9-for-14 capturing within the first half. The nine-time All-Star blistered Dallas from deep, hitting 6-for-9 on 3-pointers. The Mavs, as a group, shot 4-for-15 from vary over that span.
Curiously, Paul had related on simply seven 3s complete over the primary three video games of this collection earlier than shifting up Sunday to No. 14 all-time in postseason 3-pointers made.
George performed the complete first and third quarters, ending with 43 minutes.
5. Harden handles enterprise
James Harden explains how essential Recreation 4 was for the Clippers.
Harden receives criticism for fizzling within the postseason. However by means of the primary 4 video games of this collection, the previous Kia MVP has confirmed to be LA’s most constant performer.
Harden entered Recreation 4 main the Clippers in factors (23.7), assists (7.0) and minutes per sport (41.7).
With out Leonard, they’d want much more.
The 34-year-old delivered with an 18-point first half, hitting 6-for-8 from the ground and 4-for-4 from vary. Harden attacked the rack for six straight factors within the fourth to maintain the rallying Mavs at bay.
Harden sophisticated his afternoon by taking just one area objective within the third quarter, regardless of enjoying eight minutes.
His first bucket of the second half didn’t come till 9:45 remained within the sport on an 11-foot floater off George’s eighth help.
That modified within the fourth quarter when 5 of his makes got here on floaters. Harden scored 15 within the ultimate body, with 13 falling throughout clutch time.
“I’m blessed to have the ability to change it up and be a facilitator or scorer,” he mentioned. “I’ve been doing it all through the course of my profession at an elite stage. Recreation 1 we knew Kawhi was out. I needed to be extra aggressive. Tonight, we knew Kawhi was out. I needed to be extra aggressive. It’s fairly easy for me.”

* * *
Michael C. Wright is a senior author for NBA.com. You’ll be able to e-mail him here, discover his archive here and comply with him on X.
The views on this web page don’t essentially mirror the views of the NBA, its golf equipment or Warner Bros. Discovery
The Clippers' star is coping with proper knee irritation that sidelined him for the ultimate 8 video games of the common season and Recreation 1.
The standout guard hosted a number of occasions and reward giveaways in addition to private meet-and-greets at Mavs video games.
The Mavs' standout playmaker has proven he has some expertise on protection within the postseason, too.
Luka Doncic steps up down the stretch to energy Dallas' 96-93 win that spoiled Kawhi Leonard's return to the lineup.
The Clippers' star is coping with proper knee irritation that sidelined him for the ultimate 8 video games of the common season and Recreation 1.
The standout guard hosted a number of occasions and reward giveaways in addition to private meet-and-greets at Mavs video games.
The Mavs' standout playmaker has proven he has some expertise on protection within the postseason, too.
Luka Doncic steps up down the stretch to energy Dallas' 96-93 win that spoiled Kawhi Leonard's return to the lineup.
The All-Star guard seems to get again on monitor because the Cavs-Magic collection resumes in Cleveland for Recreation 5 on Tuesday.
Bam Adebayo, CJ McCollum, Karl-Anthony Cities, Lindy Waters III and Russell Westbrook are the finalists for 2023-24.
4 gamers scored 40+ pts on the identical day for the primary time in Playoff historical past. The Wolves gained a collection for the primary time since '04.
FantasyPros breaks down the highest DraftKings and FanDuel every day fantasy gamers for Monday's 3-game playoff slate.
San Antonio phenom Victor Wembanyama will play regular-season NBA video games in his house nation for the primary time.
Citing the group, information shops report Timberwolves coach Finch has a ruptured proper patellar tendon after an in-game collision.

source