Magical Doncic Delivers the Buzzer-Beater to Break LA Clippers, 135-133

Unreal Luka Doncic once again made miracles, now leading his Dallas Mavs to an OT buzzer-beating win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Slovenian miracle drilled a step-back three to wrap up a massive win over the LAC, 135-133. After this game, the series is tied at 2-2.

“He sees the game in 6G, not 5G. It’s another level beyond what most people see it. That game was from another planet,” said Rick Carlisle, the Mavs coach following the game.

https://twitter.com/thisleague/status/1297673912361328645

Doncic singlehandedly tore apart the Clippers. But not only that, he had issues with his ankle, which was injured badly in Game 3, and was without Kristaps Porzingis, who sat out because of pain in the right knee.

Eventually, Luka had 43 points, 17 boards and 13 assists with two steals, one block and seven turnovers. He was also 18-for-31 from the field and had just five free throws. The Dallas’ superstar was under the constant pressure of all the Clippers’ players, often hit hard by some, but without a proper reaction of the referees.

But even that wouldn’t stop him in this match.

The Mavs rallied from a 21-point deficit in the second sequence once they trailed 54-33, making a 16-0 run with Luka in charge. Then, during the middle of the third, Dallas took over the lead and even reached a 12-point edge, 106-94, but couldn’t keep up dictating the same pace until the end.

Luka Doncic and Michael Jordan are the only players in NBA postseason history to cap a 40-point performance with a buzzer beater while trailing.

Jordan did it in 1989 when he hit "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo. pic.twitter.com/3zKhCS5Lmz

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 23, 2020

Kawhi Leonard had a shot for the win for the Clippers with 0.2 to go but without success. The overtime saw a massive fight, which ended with Dallas’ spectacular victory.

“One of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” said Doncic about his buzzer-beater.

Even though Porzingis didn’t play, the offensive productivity of the Mavs stayed the same, and besides Luka, the two guys who need to be credited for that were Trey Burke with 25 points and five boards, and Tim Hardaway Jr with 21 points. These two combined for 8 threes and were 18-for-32 from the field, with just two turnovers, both of them Burke’s.

Seth Curry splashed 15 buckets off the bench, and Boban once again used his minutes very well, scoring 10 buckets and having 7 boards in 16 minutes.

On the other side, the Clippers had Lou Williams and Kawhi Leonard. Sweet Lou had 36 points off the bench and was the one who took over the wheel for the LAC in the last period. The Mavs didn’t have any solution on how to stop him tonight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6yFPBlTGXM

Kawhi added 32 with nine boards, and four assists, and even he couldn’t stop Doncic. Reggie Jackson scored 14 off the bench and Ivica Zubac 15.

A big disappointment was Paul George, who can’t find his rhythm in this series. PG had just 9 points, shooting 3-for-14 from the field, and one-for-seven from deep with 8 rebounds.

“Yeah I play the game confidently. The shots I’m taking I’m expecting to make. It just is what it is: I’m just missing shots. I don’t think it’s from a confidence standpoint… I gotta help the team. I’m aware of that and I will get to that point. PG said to the reporters following the event.

Right now, it seems that the momentum might be shifting to the Mavs’ side, but a lot depends on Luka’s health. If his ankle heals properly until Game 5 set for Tuesday, and Porzingis knee calms down, we might see even Dallas’ win. However, there should be a reaction from the other side, and Doc Rivers surely knows how to provide one.

All this promises a good fight in the next event.