(Field Level Media) Luka Doncic had 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to help the Dallas Mavericks beat the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 101-90 in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series last night. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is set for Sunday in Dallas Norman Powell and James Harden each had 21 points for the Clippers, who committed 19 turnovers.
Ivica Zubac added 19 points and eight rebounds. Kawhi Leonard was held to nine points on seven shots from the floor in 25 minutes. Paul George finished with seven points on 3-for-11 shooting from the floor in the loss. Doncic limped to the locker room, favoring his right knee, late in the first quarter with the Mavericks trailing 19-14. But Doncic returned in the second quarter and helped Dallas capture the lead. He hit a pair of 3-pointers during the Mavericks’ 12-0 run that gave them a 37-32 lead.
Dallas never trailed again, leading by 13 points at halftime and pushing the lead to as many as 21 points.
Kyrie Irving overcame a slow start to contribute 21 points and six assists in the win. Dereck Lively II had 13 points, Derrick Jones Jr. chipped in 11 points and P.J. Washington added 10 points.
Washington had three steals and Doncic, Irving and Daniel Gafford had two apiece for the Mavericks, who scored 29 points on the Clippers’ turnovers.
Harden had five of the Clippers’ miscues and Leonard finished with four. Dallas committed just nine turnovers. Leonard was the Clippers’ leading rebounder with nine.
