2024-04-21 22:21:46
It is his face that appears first in the Clippers video broadcast just before the match. But, as since March 31, Kawhi Leonard, the franchise’s best player, remained in civilian clothes on the bench, hampered by knee inflammation. Advantage of a squad with four All-Star players, the other Los Angeles team was able to rely on James Harden and Russell Westbrook to avoid an unpleasant surprise at the opening of its 2024 play-offs against Dallas (109-97) . The Mavericks’ disastrous address didn’t hurt either.
Harden and Zubac set the tone
In a Crypto.com Arena where a few empty seats remained for a match that started at lunchtime, the Clips quickly took the lead, first thanks to Ivica Zubac, author of 10 points in the first quarter, then to the hot hand of Harden (3/3 at three points). Luka Doncic kept the Mavs at bay by scoring 11 points, without being remotely effective. The red and blue lined up the baskets while the Texans continued to miss them: 2/18 behind the line and no points scored by Doncic in the second quarter.
Illustration of the Mavs’ difficulties, Maxi Kleber, who had just offered three free throws to Harden (20 points at halftime), sent a pass into the stands immediately. Conversely, Westbrook’s spectacular alley-oop symbolized the domination of the locals (56-30 at the break). A long shot from Harden, again, opened the third period, during which Zubac shone, continuing his season (20 points, 15 rebounds). Opposite, Kyrie Irving, 16% success in the first half, ended up finding his touch (31 points in total).
The lead at the start of the last quarter (87-64) was comfortable but not totally reassuring for a team prone to waste this year (defeat despite 21 more points than the Lakers in the last quarter or 13 against the Bucks ). Westbook returned to his bad habits with a shot straight into the backboard and a pass for no one. Dallas and Doncic (33 points, 13 assists) set the sights. The gap quickly came down to 15 units. But Paul George, 7 points in 80 seconds (22 in the end), scared away the panic before Harden, discreet for many minutes, relieved his team a little more with a sixth winning shot (28 points).
The Clippers lead 1-0 in the series. Game 2 on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, still in LA and probably still without Leonard.
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