Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers 109-97

The Dallas Mavericks faced off against the LA Clippers in a thrilling match that ended with a final score of 109-97. The game was highly anticipated, as both teams are known for their competitive spirit and skilled players. The Mavericks came out strong in the first quarter, taking an early lead with impressive shooting and solid defense. However, the Clippers fought back in the second quarter, narrowing the gap and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The Clippers used a dominant 34-22 first-quarter advantage to set the tone, then outscored Dallas in the second 22-8 to keep the gas on the pedal.

Los Angeles' largest lead was 29 points while Dallas never led. Dallas tried to make things interesting with a late fourth-quarter run, but it was only to make the scoreboard more flattering.

Leonard has done more shooting with movement in recent practices, according to Lue. There is a day off between Game 1 and Game 2. But after Game 2, both teams don't play again until Friday's Game 3 in Dallas.

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Leonard's surgically repaired right ACL and right meniscus are solid and structurally in place. But Frank characterized the inflammation as "stubborn" and "unpredictable."

Trailing by 22, the Mavs outscored the Clippers 10-2 to close to 102-88. Dallas was helped by a technical on Zubac and a flagrant-1 foul for his subsequent actions after a second free throw attempt by Doncic. In all, it cost the Clippers four points after Doncic scored when the Mavs retained possession.

But Harden hit another 3-pointer, George scored four in a row and the Clippers closed out the win.

The Clippers came out swinging and wanted to show the world that they can survive even without Leonard, who is their leading scorer. With James Harden and Paul George draining shots from downtown, and Ivica Zubac dominating inside the paint, the Clippers mounted a 34-22 lead after the first quarter.

From there, it all went haywire for the Mavs, who managed to score just eight points on 2-of-21 shooting in the second quarter and trailed, 56-30 at halftime. The 30 points were the fewest the Mavs  have ever scored in the first half of a playoff game.

Harden scored 20 points in the half, including nine in a row in the second quarter. He made his first four three-pointers.

Doncic and Irving were a combined 5 of 19 from the floor in the half. Doncic had all of his 11 in the first quarter and Irving had two of his six points in the second.

Terance Mann and Amir Coffey, who started in place of Leonard, led a Clippers defense that held Dallas to 9 of 40 field-goal shooting and 2 of 18 from three-point range in the half.

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 Sarah H

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