The Dallas Mavericks won the first two games of the series in a huge surprise. But after returning to home court, they didn’t look the same team and lost Game 3. Tonight, they fell once again in Game 4, as the LA Clippers clawed back into the series.
After scoring the first four points of the game, the Clippers already looked defeated. They had no answer for the Clippers’ offense, led by Kawhi Leonard, who looked unstoppable. In the previous game, Leonard had a similar performance which led to the win and tonight was no different. Luka Doncic looked drained out, after carrying his team in previous games and couldn’t hit his shots.
Fans enjoyed the game as the series became more interesting at 2-2. A lot of them tweeted about the game especially about how disappointing the Mavs were.
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Mavs only hit 4 threes all game. Miss my guy @sdotcurry pic.twitter.com/zBPa607FQU
— SLO HOOPS FAN 🇸🇮 (@SloHoopsFan) May 31, 2021
Luka and Porzingis pic.twitter.com/0TRH3ZxEMs
— Guardians Of The Globe Hate Account (@TerranovaNoah) May 31, 2021
Rick Carlisle on the white board rn pic.twitter.com/j9CGN3sVHz
— IWILLSLANDERCUZUSUCK (@SLANDERISFUN_) May 31, 2021
I need the Clippers up by 30+ pts in the 4 quarter JUST to be sure you know… pic.twitter.com/Km47nCwGcN
— Yourpapichampu (@Flixvictoriano2) May 31, 2021
kawhi whenever he goes down 0-2 pic.twitter.com/v2EZmREeR8
— αмуα💫 (@takeoversteph) May 31, 2021
I’m not trying to hear the Luka and Mavs excuses tonight! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 31, 2021
Luka frustrated as the Mavs are getting blown out by the Clippers pic.twitter.com/hKm5OqiNcp
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 31, 2021
Kristaps Porzingis in the Mavs: pic.twitter.com/icsO6RCd5Z
— Guillermo Sanchez (@GuillermoSA20) May 31, 2021
“Kawhi can’t guard Luka”
“Luka is the best player in the series”
“Kawhi has fallen off defensively”
“The clippers are done, it’s a sweep” pic.twitter.com/1uTP8sWD24
— ᴠɪʟʟᴀɪɴ (@KAWHIsMJ) May 31, 2021
“Mavs in 6” pic.twitter.com/b1KcdOsZeY
— Mavs in idk anymore (@BarneyHamzah) May 31, 2021
LA Clippers prove they were favorites for a reason
Entering the 2021 playoffs, the Clippers were the favorites to make it out of the West. Despite some occasional losses, they looked a much stronger team than last year and adding Rajon Rondo made them even better. So they were expected to stomp the Mavericks and enter the second round.
After losing the first two games, many fans felt the Mavs would sweep the Clippers. But in the last two games, the Clippers have proved that they are no pushover and that they are indeed among the favorites.
Their offense has looked lively with Kawhi and Paul George stepping up as leaders. Rondo has also done well with his floor general role and his trade looks like a steal now. Their ball movement and off-ball movement has been impressive, which has earned them a lot of open looks. And their defense has been rock solid as well, as they have clogged the paint and also guarded the perimeter well.
READ MORE – ‘Far Different From Saying We’re Not Panicked’: Former Knicks Coach Break Down the Clippers
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Will this series be over in the next two games?
If the Clippers continue playing this way, this series looks over. The Mavs haven’t provided Luka the same support as they did in the first two games and that is bringing the team down. Their defense has always been lackluster and so their strategy was to just outscore the opponents.
So unless the Mavs massively improve heading into Game 5, the Clippers will stay favorites to win the series.
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