Can Doncic do it again?
HE! IS! THAT! GUY!
Ian Eagle’s call as Luka Doncic drained a deep three-pointer, clinching a Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on the road, will live in the annals of Dallas Mavericks playoff history forever. As thrilling as it was, it’s days in the past. Doncic and the Mavericks are back home in Dallas, preparing for Game 3.
A new set of variables and unknowns await the Mavs in the American Airlines Center. Here’s what to watch for as Dallas looks to take a 2-1 series lead heading into the weekend.
Homecourt advantage
During the regular season, the Mavericks had matching 25-16 records at home and away. It’s a pretty remarkable split, especially considering Dallas was better in some respects on the road. However, the Mavs ramp up the defense on their home floor with the support of the Reunion Rowdies, er, MFFLs cheering them on.
Dallas held opponents to 47.2 percent shooting overall and 35.9 percent from deep, with an effective field goal percentage of .543 through 82 games. In the 26 games after the All-Star break, the Mavericks held other teams to 46.3 percent overall and an effective field goal percentage of .533 in the AAC. Visitors shot the same percentage from long range after the break.
Injuries
Early on, the Clippers were without a key player, as Kawhi Leonard missed Game 1. Now, the injury bug has bitten the Mavericks. Tim Hardaway Jr. will miss Game 3 with a right ankle sprain. He averaged three points on 33.3 percent shooting and two rebounds in 11 minutes in the first two games.
The availability of center Daniel Gafford is also in doubt. Dallas lists him as questionable with back spasms at the time of this writing. A regular season defensive anchor, Gafford has seen foul trouble and injury limit his time on the floor. He is averaging 1.5 points and 0.5 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.
Doncic’s defense
One of the significant stories from Game 2 was how Luka Doncic clamped down defensively on the Clippers. When Doncic was the primary defender, L.A. shooters — Amir Coffey, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Mason Plumlee, Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook, Ivica Zubac — were 2-17 for five points.
Doncic wants to be taken seriously as a defender, as our Mette Robertson wrote about in January. It would behoove him to replicate his Game 2 performance on the defensive end Friday night, especially if Gafford isn’t available.
How to watch
ESPN and Bally Sports Southwest, 7 p.m. CST