June 2, 2021, Luka Doncic exploded with 42 points and 14 assists on the Clippers floor during Game 5 in the first round. The Mavericks, at the heart of a strange series without any home victory so far, thought they were taking a good option on qualification.
Inconclusive, because the Texans ended up losing after the 7th game. Three years later, facing the same opponents, leading 2-1 in their series so far, the Mavericks do not want to fall into any trap.
“ They've been in every situation, so there's nothing for us to celebrate “, thunders Jason Kidd, speaking of the experience of Californians. The Mavs coach, according to whom the general physical wear and tear of the protagonists is being felt, adds: “ Understand that we have accomplished nothing. The series is still ongoing. We only won two matches. »
His Mavericks team will have the opportunity to win a third this evening, for a second game in a row at home. For Josh Green, it's about approaching this meeting as if the series was 0-0.
Obligatory victory
“ It's about coming in with the same energy and making sure you strike first. We know it will be competitive, but we have to make sure we are ready to go. At this stage of the season, every game must be won », develops the rear, according to which “ every upcoming match is a mandatory victory » for the Mavs.
The latter are aware that in the event of defeat, the counters would actually be reset to zero. And that confidence could change sides. Where a victory would allow us to take the lead in the series. “ We must protect our land », demands Jason Kidd, recalling the strike force opposite: “ They have (four) future Hall of Famers, they have guns everywhere. »
The technician is aware that Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden or Russell Westbrook can take charge and make the difference in favor of the Clippers. “ We take our hats off to them if they score, but we try not to give them gifts “, continues Kidd, whose team has limited them below 100 points two games in a row.
According to him, the important “ is to keep your cool, realize the present moment and what is happening around you, absorb it and make sure that there is nothing that can put you in danger. One of the biggest messages is that they all know they have someone behind them, and the trust factor is extremely high right now. »
| Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Party | Pts |
| Luka Doncic | 70 | 37.5 | 48.7 | 38.2 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 8.4 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 33.9 |
| Kyrie Irving | 58 | 35.0 | 49.7 | 41.1 | 90.5 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 25.6 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 79 | 26.8 | 40.2 | 35.3 | 85.2 | 0.3 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 14.4 |
| Pj Washington | 29 | 32.2 | 42.1 | 31.4 | 62.7 | 1.1 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 11.7 |
| Daniel Gafford | 29 | 21.5 | 78.0 | 0.0 | 60.7 | 2.2 | 4.7 | 6.9 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 11.2 |
| Derek Lively II | 55 | 23.5 | 74.7 | 0.0 | 50.6 | 2.5 | 4.4 | 6.9 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 8.8 |
| Derrick Jones | 76 | 23.5 | 48.3 | 34.3 | 71.3 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 8.6 |
| Josh Green | 57 | 26.4 | 47.9 | 38.5 | 68.4 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 8.2 |
| Grant Williams | 47 | 26.4 | 41.3 | 37.6 | 74.5 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 8.1 |
| Dante Exum | 55 | 19.8 | 53.3 | 49.1 | 77.9 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 7.8 |
| Jaden Hardy | 73 | 13.6 | 40.7 | 36.2 | 77.6 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 7.3 |
| Dexter Dennis | 4 | 7.5 | 52.6 | 12.5 | 33.3 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 5.5 |
| Alex Fudge | 2 | 12.9 | 55.6 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 5.5 |
| Maxi Kleber | 43 | 20.3 | 43.2 | 34.8 | 70.2 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 4.4 |
| Seth Curry | 36 | 12.7 | 37.2 | 36.3 | 89.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 4.3 |
| Richaun Holmes | 23 | 10.3 | 55.9 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 3.4 |
| Dwight Powell | 63 | 13.3 | 67.9 | 33.3 | 70.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| Aj Lawson | 42 | 7.4 | 44.6 | 26.0 | 65.2 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.2 |
| Brandon Williams | 17 | 6.6 | 37.0 | 20.0 | 64.7 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 3.2 |
| Olivier-maxence Prosper | 40 | 8.4 | 38.5 | 28.9 | 68.3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.0 |
| Markieff Morris | 26 | 8.3 | 33.8 | 35.7 | 83.3 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| Greg Brown III | 6 | 6.6 | 45.5 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.5 |
