:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69364280/1233161289.0.jpg)
The Clippers picked up a much-needed victory on Friday night, avoiding falling in a 0-3 hole. Tonight, LA has a chance to even the series at two games, taking home court advantage back.
Game Information
When: Sunday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. PT
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
How to watch/listen: TNT, Bally Sports SoCal
Opposing perspective: Mavs Moneyball
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris Sr., Ivica Zubac
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, Josh Richardson, Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber
Injuries/Absences
Clippers: Serge Ibaka (lower back) — OUT
Mavericks: JJ Redick (heel) — OUT
Early on in Game 3, it looked as if the Clippers were on the verge of losing their third consecutive game. Dallas had a 19-point lead and they had all the momentum. The Clippers quickly clawed their way back into the game before taking the lead and never looking back. Obviously every win in the playoffs is crucial, but the different between going down 0-3 and 1-2 is truly historical.
As you know, no team has EVER come back from an 0-3 deficit. 1-2 on the other hand is something that can easily happen. With a win tonight, the series is tied and the Clippers will re-claim home court advantage.
The Clippers were able to pull off the victory even though the Mavericks shot better than 50 percent from deep. They knocked down 20 where as the Clippers made only 13. So far through three games, Dallas has been unstoppable from beyond the arc. The Mavericks were +21 from deep the other night, and they still lost by 10 points. If Dallas just comes back down to earth and shoots even 40 percent from deep, the Clippers should be in control tonight.
Luka Doncic scored 44, which was expected as he’s practically unstoppable. The key was stopping all their other role players. No other Maverick scored more than 14 points. In game 1, four different players scored at least 14 for Dallas and in Game 2 there were three players with at least 14 points.
The Clippers got a combined 65 points from their duo of Kawhi and PG, but it was the help from role players that helped with the victory. Marcus Morris Sr. added a series-high 15 points and Reggie Jackson added a series-high 16 points as well.
As mentioned from earlier, a win tonight from LA evens the series and gives the Clippers control of home-court advantage yet again. With a loss, they’ll go down 3-1 in the series. The silver lining? The Clippers are familiar with 3-1 leads and know how quickly they can be blown. For LA’s sake, let’s just get a victory and not worry about that, sound good?
Go Clippers.