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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA/AP) — Luka Doncic scored 42 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. hit two free throws with eight seconds left, and the Dallas Mavericks edged the Los Angeles Clippers 105-100 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers is fouled by Willie Cauley-Stein #33 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game Five of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 2, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
“I’m definitely disappointed in the loss, but we have confidence in ourselves being able to go out and get another win,” Kawhi Leonard said. “Like I said, we’re just focused on the next one and we’re gonna see what we can do better.”
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It’s the third playoff series in NBA history — and first since 1995 — in which the road team won the first five games, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“You know, we got our own two on their home floor and won two tough games,” Clippers head coach Ty Lue said. “We’re gonna have to do the same thing again.”
The Mavs can close out their first series victory since winning the 2011 NBA championship with a win in Game 6 at home Friday in front of a full house.
Hardaway Jr. added 20 points, the only other Mavs player in double figures. Doncic’s points were two off his career playoff high. He had a career high 14 assists and added eight rebounds.
Paul George led five Clippers starters in double figures with 23 points and 10 rebounds after playing the fourth quarter with four fouls. Leonard and Reggie Jackson each added 20 points.
The Clippers bounced back after falling behind by 16 points early in the fourth. They outscored the Mavs 16-6 to get to 95-91, despite turnovers and misses by George and Leonard.
But Hardaway stole the ball from George and hit a 3-pointer. Kristaps Porzingis followed with another 3 and the Mavs led 101-91.
Still, the Clippers weren’t done. They ran off nine straight points to get to 101-100 on consecutive 3-pointers by Jackson and Marcus Morris, and a three-point play by Leonard.
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Terance Mann stole the ball, drawing roars from the small masked crowd, but Nicolas Batum missed a layup during a wild scramble in which Morris fouled Hardaway. He made both for a 103-100 lead.
Doncic showed no effects from a neck strain. He rallied the Mavs in the third, when they outscored the Clippers 33-21 after leading 56-54 at halftime. Dallas closed the quarter on a 22-3 run, including 11 by Doncic, to lead 89-75.
After hitting three straight 3-pointers, two by Jackson, the Clippers stalled out. George picked up two quick fouls and Leonard committed two turnovers. Rajon Rondo tossed up an airball and missed a jumper, and Leonard closed the third with two misses.
The Clippers harassed former teammate Boban Marjanovic in the third. The 7-foot-4 Serb bobbled the ball several times when Doncic tried passing inside to him. Doncic finally took things into his own hands, doing most of the scoring the rest of the period.
Maxi Kleber and Morris tangled in the first quarter, with Kleber being assessed a technical and Morris getting a Flagrant-1 after a video review. Morris’ left arm slammed across Kleber’s throat and he responded by shoving Morris on the baseline. They also collided in the second quarter, with Morris ending up on the floor.
After missing their first four shots of the game, the Clippers made five straight 3-pointers. Doncic responded for the Mavs, hitting four 3-pointers on his way to 19 points in the first quarter. He had 27 by halftime, the only Mavs player in double figures.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Marjanovic made his first start and second appearance in the series as part of their attempt to go bigger. He finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
Clippers: Hall of Famer Jerry West took his mask off to pose for fan photos at halftime.
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(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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