What we saw, what it felt like: Mavs-Clippers, Game 6

The playoffs are complicated. Each series is its own story and each game is its own chapter with a dozen moments and plot points. But the play-offs can also be simple. Each of those moments, those plot points, falls into one of two categories: the things we observe and the emotions they evoke in us. That’s what we want to talk about here.

What we saw

It took a while, but the Mavericks eventually discovered the Clippers.

They weren’t ready for their Kawhi Leonard-less foe in Game 1, had to pull off an ugly Game 2, and were dealt another blow when the Clippers shot out the lights in Game 4. But since they played the first two games in Los Angeles, the Mavericks’ offensive process and results have steadily improved, with points per 100 possessions increasing in each game: 105, 105, 117, 121, 127, 129. Meanwhile the Clippers remained stuck in the mud, overwhelmed by the Mavericks’ suffocating defense.

Game 6 was a classic example of Dallas’ winning script since the post-trade deadline makeover: Luka Dončić begins systematically undermining opposing defenses, while the Mavericks’ supporting cast applies relentless pressure on the other side of the floor like a pack of dogs. And in the playoffs, Kyrie Irving joined that pack, chasing and locking down James Harden like he was possessed. The Clippers tried to resist in the first half and managed to stay even, but the damage was already done. The older team was out of gas, and as he had done all season, Irving smelled blood and went for the kill, scoring 28 points after the break.

Watching Irving dismantle the Clippers’ hopes and shake 38-year-old P.J. Tucker with an Uncle Drew-style four-point play was a perfect summary of the series. The Mavericks were simply too young, too fast and too spry. They won a series in which Dončić did not have to undergo a supernova. He was beaten up, his best weapon – the step back – had failed him, and they couldn’t give him a breather because of Tim Hardaway Jr.’s injury. and the struggles of Dante Exum. Still, they got the job done. It’s further proof of how differently this team is built compared to previous iterations in the Dončić era.

The win gives Dallas a few much-needed extra days of rest before taking on the West’s best, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavericks won’t be the younger team anymore and might not be the most athletic either. But the first round showed us that this is a tough, resilient group that can find ways to win even when things don’t go as planned. So don’t plan a second-round exit for them yet. —Iztok Franko

How it felt

An echo from another era: two years ago on the calendar, but much longer in the life cycle of this franchise.

It is easy to describe the last three games of this series what they mean in the story of Luka Dončić: the white knight finally puts his sword through the dragon’s neck. It wouldn’t be wrong either. The hero’s journey is of course mostly about romance, but every now and then it is rooted in truth. Dirk Nowitzki had to beat the Heat to win his championship ring. The Rangers had to go through the Astros to finally win that World Series. And now here stands Dončić, a better player than the greatest athlete this city has ever known and more recognizable than the reigning championship team, finally overcoming the first major postseason foe of his NBA career.

But when you look closer, these final 144 minutes stand out for the way they were able to get out of the first round match that Dončić’s Mavericks played against another opponent. A wasted Game 4 that was as promising as it was frustrating. A resounding Game 5 triumph, powered by a Luka third quarter that was too brilliant for his wounded body to contain. A conclusion to Game 6 that begs the question of whether Dallas merely shut down its opponent or laid the groundwork for a total dismantling of that opponent’s roster. This was once again the 2022 Jazz series, positioning Oklahoma City as Phoenix, the top seed that the Mavs are not expected to beat in the second round.

Except: what if they do? Because they can, for reasons that start with having the best player in the series. No matter how the MVP voting falls, Dončić remains better at basketball than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. All these arguments will be dissected soon enough, but one thing is more important than all. Even a different outcome next round won’t dampen the feeling that has returned after two years of dormancy, this time stronger than ever: these Mavericks are on the rise. —Mike Piellucci

Authors

Iztok Franko

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Iztok Franko covers the Mavericks for StrongSide. He’s an analyst who uncovers stories hidden in NBA data and basketball…

Mike Piellucci

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Mike Piellucci does D magazine‘s sports editor. He is a former employee at The Athletics And SHAMEand are freelance…