Playoff Review- Mavericks (4) v Clippers (5)

The 4^th vs 5^th place matchup in the first round is usually one to mark on the calendar. The closest two teams in the conference, according to record, and both usually genuine contenders with a case for the title, makes for the jewel of the first round.

The Western Conference matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks proved to have all the ingredients for a classic series. Both teams came into the first round with a roster capable of going deep and led by a genuine top 5 superstar. The question of who would advance would be answered by the depth of each roster and the tricks each GM could pull out of the hat.

Game 1 @ Dallas

With home court advantage, Dallas looked to give the home crowd what they wanted, a hot start to a big series. It was the Clippers, however, who started well, taking a two-point lead into the first quarter break of the first game. Though foul trouble plagued the team, Dallas managed to steady the ship over the course of the second quarter with an absolutely commanding term. They stormed into the half-time break after dismounting the Clippers with a 50 to 27 run for the 2nd. If LA were going to respond, some serious magic would need to be concocted at the half time break or they�d have to find a way to ensure KD didn�t return to the game. This would not be the case and the Clippers appeared helpless as the Mavs would go on to extend their lead at every break. A quiet night from Giannis was a key talking point for the Clippers, while the output of Schroder and KD would be something they would need to address come game 2.

Key performances:
Kevin Durant- 42 points and 6 rebounds
Dennis Schroder- 38 points and 9 assists



Game 2 @ Dallas
It was back to the drawing board for the Clippers in game 2 and they would have to find a line-up that would unearth their star Giannis Antetokounmpo to give them a chance to steal one on the road and level the series. Once again, the Clippers took the lead into the first break edging in front late in the quarter with a Colin Sexton field goal. The arm wrestle would continue into the second as both teams exchanged the lead on multiple occasions. On the half time buzzer the Mavericks took a small advantage, leading 58-56. The 3^rd quarter remained close as the Mavs began to impose their will. In the fourth, KD began finding space from Giannis, scoring from mid-range at important times, while Porzingis became the unspoken hero as he carried the offence with put-back opportunities, rarely missing from the field. At the final horn the Mavericks extended their series lead 2-0, the final score of game two 121-110.    

Key performances:
Giannis Antetokounmpo- 29 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists
Colin Sexton- 26 points and 9 assists
Kristaps Porzingis- 26 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks
Dennis Schroder- 28 points and 7 assists



 Game 3 @ LA
The series headed to LA after a flawless start from the Mavericks who brought a two-zip lead with them. After a quiet game to open the series, Giannis appear to be on track as he now occupied the PF spot, while Durant looked to bounce back after getting pushed around by the Greek Freak in game two. Game three broke the tradition of a close opening term as the Mavericks flexed to a 13-point lead. The home team, trailing the game and the series threw back some counter punches in the second and third term, however it would be the Mavericks throwing haymakers in the last, stunning the clippers with another 20 point loss. The Mavs extended the series lead to 3-0 and Los Angeles would need to find some miracles in the 4^th game just to keep their season alive.

Key performances:
Kevin Durant- 43 points and 8 rebounds
Kelly Oubre- 23 points and 6 assists
Giannis Antetokounmpo- 38 points and 10 rebounds



Game 4 @ LA
With their backs against the wall, GM Andrew and his Clippers needed something special to break the cycle and avoid the sweep. The Mavs had shown all the tools of their arsenal and, so far, the Clippers had zero defences. It appeared a coaching masterstroke would be needed and GM Andrew started working the sims. Enter, Point Giannis. With a new and bold approach, the Clippers exploded out of the gates as point god Giannis dominated the ball. Durant was up to his usual tricks at the other end of the floor but the Clippers just seemed to have a bit more fire power with this line-up. The Clippers extended the lead at every break to blow game 4 out, winning 144 to 107 and extending the series to at least a 5^th game.

Key performances:
Kevin Durant- 42 points and 9 rebounds
Giannis Antetokounmpo- 40 points and 8 rebounds
Mo Wagner- 19 points and 6 rebounds



Game 5 @ Dallas
After being stunned in on the road by the point Giannis move, the chess game continued. It was now GM LJ�s turn to move the chess pieces and make his counter with Giannis Antetokounmpo injured on the sidelines. He had the opportunity to throw the strategy out the window but with the opponent�s best player watching from the sidelines, LJ looked confident would get the job done. The pattern looked similar to the first three games after the Mavericks leapt out of the gates in the first quarter. Behind their star player, Kevin Durant, the Mavericks maintained a lead going into the last and looked hungry to close the series. With blood in the water, the Mavs circled, with KD landing blow after blow from down-town. The game reached near blow-out territory as the Dallas sidelines celebrated an imminent conference semis birth. The final score read 124-105, the Mavs advancing in 5. KD closed this one out in a classic performance as he locked up player of the series.

Key performances:
Kevin Durant- 51 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists
Colin Sexton- 30 points and 6 assists

Series Final Score
Mavs 4- Clippers 1



Player of the Series:
Kevin Durant



Congratulations to both teams for terrific individual seasons, both teams finished above 50 wins which is a commendable achievement in itself. Good luck to the advancing Mavericks who take on the might of the defending champs Portland in the conference semis.