It was reunion time for the Clippers and the Mavericksaccustomed to meeting during the playoffs since 2020. A reunion obviously marked by the absence of Kawhi Leonard (knee), but that did not prevent Los Angeles to spank Dallas (109-97).
If Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving played their game (64 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for two), James Harden (28 points, 8 assists), Ivica Zubac (20 points, 15 rebounds) and Paul George (22 points) tilted this Game 1 in favor of the Californians.
Ivica Zubac then James Harden carve out Dallas
The Clippers are off to a very good start, thanks in particular to the contribution of two men: Ivica Zubac, who is working hard in the racket with his size advantage, and James Harden, particularly skillful and aggressive as imagined by his team, in more than being exemplary in defense. Like the Angelenos are generally making all the defensive efforts, with energy, and Luka Doncic is the only one to survive on the Mavericks side, the gap quickly settles around ten points (34-22).
Things are not going well for Dallas in the second quarter, and that's an understatement: nothing goes in (23% skill), Daniel Gafford injures his ankle, James Harden continues to torment them like in the good old days, Russell Westbrook is hyperactive without doing too much off the bench and, quite logically, Los Angeles worsens the score on the scoreboard: 56-30! This turns into correction and Jason Kidd's men are just unrecognizable collectively.
Useless wake-up call for “LuKyrie”
After the break, Kyrie Irving finally gets active and, receiving help from his sidekick Luka Doncic, he allows the Mavericks to regain color. The problem is that the Clippers' insolent 3-point skill allows them to maintain a fairly significant gap, especially since Ivica Zubac remains uncontrollable under the boards despite the return of Daniel Gafford. Nothing changes in the score and Tyronn Lue's players maintain their seriousness, without panicking despite the arabesques of “Uncle Drew” (87-64).
After Kyrie Irving, it's up to Luka Doncic to punish the Los Angeles defense, but the Californian franchise is still not panicking, given the boost from Paul George, who was overdue. Dallas starts too far and LA completely masters its subject, which offers us at the finish this authoritarian success but above all deserved for the Angelenos (109-97).
TO REMEMBER
– James Harden and Ivica Zubac kick off Los Angeles. Deprived of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers could not only count on Paul George to make up for his absence. Reason why James Harden and Ivica Zubac – but also Russell Westbrook and Terance Mann to a lesser extent – showed their muscles to guide LA in the first half. One, with the help of his 3-point baskets and assists. The other, using his baskets near the circle and rebounds. A superb performance from two of the X factors of this series, which we will obviously have to try to reproduce during Game 2 and beyond.
– Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and… that’s it. We could fear the lack of offensive solutions from the Mavericks behind the Doncic/Irving duo and this Game 1 demonstrated it. At the end of a terrible first period collectively, the two Texan stars got back on track after the break, but no other player was able to support them as they should. A real problem, because it only makes it easier for the Clippers on defense. It's up to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to better involve their teammates, with the help of Jason Kidd.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
