Luka Doncic\'s stellar performance propelled the Mavericks to a 96-93 victory over the Clippers in Game 2, levelling their first-round series at one game apiece. Despite the return of Kawhi Leonard, Doncic\'s 32-point effort ensured the Mavericks didn\'t fall into a 0-2 hole, stealing home-court advantage from the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
"I was just trying to have fun out there," Doncic remarked, highlighting his mindset for the crucial game. "The intensity is way harder, but I just try and go out there and play hard and have fun."
Unlike Game 1, where the Mavericks faced a daunting 29-point deficit, they displayed resilience throughout Game 2. The matchup evolved into a defensive battle, characterized by tight margins and numerous lead changes.
"The Mavericks never led in Game 1, but they held the lead for most of the matchup in Game 2," noted Clippers\' head coach Ty Lue. "Our defence was great," he added, emphasizing the team\'s defensive effort despite the loss.
Although Leonard\'s return injected vigor into the Clippers, his rustiness was evident, as he struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds.
"The longer the series goes, the more time that will allow Leonard to get back into game shape," acknowledged Clippers coach Lue, highlighting the importance of Leonard\'s presence in the series.
On the Mavericks\' side, Kyrie Irving contributed 23 points to complement Doncic\'s standout performance. Looking ahead, the Mavericks aim to maintain their momentum as the series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 at the American Airlines Center on Friday night at 5:00 PM PT.
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