Kawhi Leonard absent, Mavericks had a shot to play in Los Angeles on Sunday evening. But it didn't show at all in the first half. The score at the break? 56-30 for the Clippers, with an 8-point second quarter for Dallas… “They were physical and we were passive”summarizes Jason Kidd, after his team's defeat.
The symbol of this physical domination is the first minutes of Ivica Zubac. Tyronn Lue's players served it from the start near the basket, even under the circle. The pivot then enjoyed himself with 10 points in the first quarter. Daniel Gafford, hit by fouls very quickly and author of 3 points and no rebounds in 14 minutes, suffered.
“To be honest, I wasn't ready to play. I need to do better in these areas where I succeeded during the regular season”, admits the pivot of the Mavericks, who were playing their 6th playoff game. “I have to play playoff basketball, which I didn’t show in this meeting. »
A first failed test
So certainly, there was a response after the break, with a Luka Doncic – Kyrie Irving duo which is getting back in the right direction, but which will still remain isolated. The Clippers will never be worried against the Mavericks cut in two. Despite this reaction, the Texans clearly missed this meeting, to the point of being caricatured.
“The subject is the physical aspect and the fact that we are in the playoffs. A lot of players here are not used to that, especially the young ones so they don't know how to deal with it, or what the referees will whistle.” recognizes Kyrie Irving (31 points). “It was a great first test for us. We missed it, obviously, with this defeat, but there are things to remember for Game 2.”
As this match, especially the second half, proves, the Mavericks will need their two stars to go far, to start the machine. With 33 points, Doncic scored but without his usual influence in the game, with 6 assists and 4 loose balls.
“I have to stay aggressive”warns the Slovenian, finalist for the MVP trophy. “My first half was bad, I wasn't aggressive enough. »
