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We're three games into the series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks. If there's one thing we've learned so far, it's that nobody's stopping Luka Doncic.
The Clippers had every incentive to throw all that they had into muzzling Luka Doncic in Game 3. Their backs were clearly against the wall with an 0-3 deficit looming large over them. Beyond that, the ridicule LA would be subjected to would be unending should they be upset, or potentially even swept, by a supposedly inferior Mavs side. The future of their franchise potentially hangs in the balance of the series, as their star player in Kawhi Leonard could grow tired of the lack of success and bolt for greener pastures.
Even when said star is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history, Luka Doncic still managed to dominate in Game 3. On the biggest stage of his young career, with the pressure of a nearly-packed American Airlines Center, the Mavs star put up 44 points, the most he's scored through nine playoff games, and just two shy of his career high. Had he not been shooting free throws like Shaquille O'Neal in the series, he would've had 50 easily.
The stakes couldn't have possibly been higher for them, and the Clippers still couldn't crack the code on Luka Doncic. But the good news for LA is that despite that, they still won the game to keep their hopes alive.
The Clippers' Biggest Non-Luka Doncic Problem
At this point, the Clippers must accept that the Doncic variable has to be figured into any equation for them to pull off the win in this series. They need to instead shift their focus onto the one glaring issue that they can stop – the Dallas Mavericks' ungodly three-point shooting.
During the regular season, the Los Angeles Clippers ranked 6th in the NBA in three-point defense. They allowed opponents to shoot just 35.6% from downtown, while allowing the 7th least attempts from long range. It's not a stretch to say that defending the three-point arc was a true strength of theirs.
And on paper, that definitely adds up. When Leonard and Paul George decided to team up in Los Angeles, the buzz was immediately on how nasty they would be at defending the perimeter. Add those two with a relentless point guard defender in Patrick Beverley and you had the perfect recipe to induce fits from opposing ball-handlers.
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That didn't manifest itself in Game 1, as they seemed powerless to stop the Mavs from raining threes. Doncic posted a relatively tame 31 points, but he had carved the Clippers en route to 11 assists. His teammates took advantage, as they finished the game going 17-for-36 from three-point range, good for 47.2% as a team. But you could always chalk that up to a hot shooting night. It happens.
The same scenario played out in Game 2, but even worse. The Mavs made over half of their threes this time, going 18-for-34 from downtown as Tim Hardaway Jr. went nuts to the tune of 28 points with six threes. Luka Doncic had 39 points in this one, in case you were wondering.
The Clippers held their last stand in Game 3 and came out victorious. Luka Doncic managed to outdo himself, with his best offensive display, pouring in the aforementioned 44 points. But thanks to timely scoring from LA's offensive weapons, they held the Mavs at bay in the fourth quarter despite Dallas threatening during the final frame. But take a look at the box score, and you'll see the same story from Games 1 and 2. The Mavs made the most threes in the series in the game that they lost, going an absurd 20-for-39 this time.
If the Clippers missed a shot or two down the stretch, they could have easily surrendered this game. Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris combined to shoot 57.1% in Game 3, going 12-for-21. Morris made three consecutive deep shots in the fourth quarter to hold off the Mavs late. They were a cold shooting night away from potentially being down 0-3.
The LA Clippers must remember that they have a 72-game sample size of knowing how to defend the three-ball with proficiency. The Mavs have shot over 50% from three-point range and that has to stop if they want to complete their comeback. If they can force them into a subpar shooting night, or heck even just league-average from three-point range, they can easily take control even while facing a Doncic-led onslaught.
Luka Doncic has proven that he'll get his points no matter what they do. But the Clippers needs to zone in on what they can stop and take pride in their defense in order to turn this series around completely.
