Clippers vs. Mavericks: Luka Doncic Puts LA, Kawhi Leonard On Brink Of Another Early Playoff Exit

One year after choking away a 3-1 second-round series lead, the Los Angeles Clippers could have an even earlier disappointing playoff exit this season. The Dallas Mavericks defeated L.A. 105-100 in Game 5 of their first-round series Wednesday night, putting the Clippers on the brink of elimination.

The Clippers trail the Mavericks 3-2, heading to Dallas for Game 6 Thursday night on the brink of elimination. Luka Doncic gave the Mavericks the series lead with a historic Game 5 performance, thoroughly outplaying Los Angeles’ two stars.

Doncic had 42 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds in the Game 5 road victory. The 22-year-old recorded just one fewer point and three more assists than Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had combined. Still, Leonard missed a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, airballing a corner three-point attempt.

Doncic set a playoff record by scoring or assisting on for 83.8% of his team’s field goals, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Doncic has been the best player in the series by far, averaging 35.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game. Dallas’ star has scored more than 30 points in four of the five games, turning the Mavericks into the series favorites before Game 6.

All three of Dallas’ wins have come as significant underdogs in Los Angeles. Dating back to last year’s collapse against the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers are the only team in the last 30 years to lose five straight playoff games as favorites of at least seven points, according to ESPN.

Los Angeles is now a +134 underdog to win two straight games and eliminate Dallas, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Mavericks have -164 odds to win the series.

Overall, Leonard and George have put up big numbers this postseason. They are averaging a combined 55.0 points, 16.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.

Doncic has just been that much better.

It won’t be surprising if the Clippers come back and win the series. Los Angeles has won both games it played in Dallas. L.A. is a short road favorite in Game 6.

But the Clippers have come up short in so many big moments that plenty of doubt surrounds Leonard and George with the season on the line.