Luka Doncic leads Mavericks to 2-1 series lead over Clippers

Luka Doncic leads Mavericks to victory over Clippers in Game 3 with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Mavericks lead 2-1.

In a thrilling Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series, Luka Doncic showcased his brilliance with an impressive stat line of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 101-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavericks now hold a 2-1 lead in the series, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday in Dallas.

Despite a strong effort from Norman Powell and James Harden, who each scored 21 points for the Clippers, the team struggled with turnovers, committing a total of 19 throughout the game. Ivica Zubac added 19 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mavericks' dominant performance.

Kawhi Leonard was notably held to just nine points on seven shots, while Paul George finished with seven points on 3-for-11 shooting. Doncic's injury scare in the first quarter, favoring his right knee as he limped to the locker room with the Mavericks trailing, added a layer of drama to the game. However, he returned in the second quarter and played a pivotal role in helping Dallas secure the lead.

The Mavericks never trailed after Doncic's return, maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the game and eventually extending it to as many as 21 points. Kyrie Irving, despite a slow start, contributed 21 points and six assists to the victory. Other key contributors for Dallas included Dereck Lively II with 13 points, Derrick Jones Jr. with 11 points, and P.J. Washington with 10 points.

Washington's defensive efforts were particularly noteworthy, as he recorded three steals along with Doncic, Irving, and Daniel Gafford each adding two steals. The Mavericks capitalized on the Clippers' turnovers, scoring 29 points off of them. Harden was responsible for five of the Clippers' turnovers, while Leonard had four. In contrast, Dallas committed just nine turnovers in the game.

Leonard led the Clippers in rebounding with nine boards, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mavericks' strong performance on both ends of the court. With the series now in their favor, Dallas looks to carry this momentum into Game 4 and further solidify their position in the playoffs.

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