The NBA Playoffs have been a roller coaster ride for the Dallas Mavericks. They got off to a brutal start in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Clippers, trailing by double-digits for more than three-quarters of the game.
In Game 2, a run in the fourth quarter enabled the Mavericks to tie the series at one win apiece. With Games 3 and 4 being held in Dallas, all of the momentum was in their favor and they were able to take advantage.
Game 3 was a convincing 101-90 victory for the Mavericks. Unfortunately, the momentum and homecourt advantage in the series was squandered during what ended up being a historic loss for Dallas in Game 4.
A brutally slow start led to the Clippers leading by as many as 31 points in the game. The Mavericks were able to battle all the way back, tying the game with 5:03 remaining and taking a lead with 2:15.
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Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. After taking the 105-104 lead, the Mavericks were outscored 12-6 the remainder of the game. That cemented Dallas in NBA history for an accomplishment they would prefer to not be remembered by.
In the loss, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points while Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double, scoring 29 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. According to OptaSTATS, that makes the Mavericks the first team in NBA history to lose a playoff game in regulation with one player scoring 40+ points and a teammate recording a triple-double.
With the series now tied 2-2 heading back to Los Angeles, Dallas has their backs up against the wall. They need to find a way to steal a second game on the road if they want to advance to the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
The supporting cast is going to have to show up. Irving and Doncic have done a good job of leading the way to this point, but inconsistent performances by the players behind them have derailed the Mavericks’ chances of taking a commanding 3-1 lead.
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