In a nail-biting match on Sunday, Paul George and James Harden played pivotal roles for the Los Angeles Clippers, each scoring an impressive 33 points. Despite initially building a massive 31-point lead, the Clippers found themselves struggling to maintain control against the Dallas Mavericks. However, they ultimately managed to hold on, clinching a narrow 116-111 victory and evening the first-round series at 2-2.
The absence of Kawhi Leonard, who missed the series opener due to right knee inflammation but played in the two Dallas victories, didn't seem to hinder the Clippers' performance. The teams have been evenly matched, splitting a pair of games on each other's home court. With Game 5 set for Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the stage is set for an intense showdown.
Kyrie Irving was in top form for Dallas, scoring an impressive 40 points. His acrobatic layup with 2:15 remaining gave the Mavericks their first lead since the middle of the first quarter, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic recorded his fourth career playoff triple-double, showcasing his exceptional skills with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, all against the Clippers.
George and Harden were on fire in the first half, with George scoring 26 points and Harden adding to the onslaught with a crucial 3-pointer. The Clippers dominated from beyond the arc, finishing with 18 of 29 overall, with George and Harden combining for 11 of those.
After Irving's go-ahead layup, George stepped up with a fadeaway 3-pointer, breaking his second-half scoring drought. Harden then took over, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a three-point play that helped secure the victory for the Clippers.
The Clippers got off to a scorching start, tying a franchise playoff record with eight 3-pointers in the first quarter alone. George was instrumental in this early surge, matching the Mavericks' total score for the quarter with 16 points, helping the Clippers build a commanding 39-16 lead.
Despite Dallas' valiant effort to rally back, spurred on by Irving's impressive shooting, the Clippers managed to maintain their composure. Irving scored 16 points in the second quarter and continued his hot streak into the third, finishing those two quarters with 26 points after a slow start in the first. Heading into the fourth quarter with just a four-point lead, the Clippers faced a tough challenge but managed to emerge victorious in the end.
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