The Dallas Mavericks were able to upset the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their first-round NBA postseason matchup.
Mavericks beat the Clippers, 113-103 in Game 1 😤
Luka: 31 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST pic.twitter.com/NqS4wImMsG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2021
The Mavericks won 113-103 and were in control most of the game.
The Clippers came into the playoffs as one of the favorites once again.
Dallas did not care and came out ready to go for Game 1.
Luka Doncic had another playoff triple-double and was spectacular the whole game.
Now the talks are if the Mavericks can win the entire series.
It will be a hard task to beat Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in a seven-game series.
However, they have a great chance to do so and here are the reasons why.
3. The Supporting Cast Came to Play
Doncic was amazing as usual, but the supporting cast for Dallas showed up as well.
Dorian Finney-Smith made four threes.
Jalen Brunson came off the bench and gave them great guard play when Luka was out of the game.
Lastly, Tim Hardaway Jr. was on fire all night long, even hitting a crazy three over Leonard.
Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 21 points (8-13 FG, 5-9 3FG) in today’s win. It marked his third career 20-point effort in the playoffs, with all three of those games coming against the Clippers.
Like Dončić, THJ’s 5 3FGM marked a new postseason career high. pic.twitter.com/SEUnoYhCa8
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) May 22, 2021
The Clippers supporting cast didn’t produce at all on Saturday.
Marcus Morris went 2-8 and only had four points.
Reggie Jackson went 1-6 and had two points.
Nicolas Batum had 11 points, but was having a hard time guarding Doncic.
If this is going to be the norm, then the Mavs will have a great shot to defeat the Clippers.
2. Luka Cementing his Legacy
Doncic has the opportunity to be an all-timer in this league.
He has shown the flashes in the playoffs so far.
Last season against these same Clippers in the first-round, Luka was phenomenal.
He hit a beautiful game winner in Game 4 last season and had a few triple-doubles.
He started off this series with another triple-double.
Luka Doncic’s 7 career playoff games, all with Kawhi & PG guarding him, all before his 23rd birthday:
42-7-9
28-8-7
13-10-10
43-17-13
22-8-4
38-9-9
31-10-11The beginnings of a Top 10 all time player. What a pleasure to watch.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 22, 2021
The Clippers have a couple of guys that are great defensively, but can’t seem to figure out Doncic.
For two straight seasons, he is having his way with the Clippers.
The Clippers should be scared of Doncic.
This young man is trying to cement his legacy already.
The first step can be a first-round upset of the Clippers.
1. The Curse of the Clippers
Some people do not believe in superstition in sports.
Whether it is lucky charms, or curses, different sports have superstitions.
They can easily seem ridiculous and even childish.
However, the Clippers might actually be cursed in some capacity.
The Clippers were close to losing to the Mavericks last season in the playoffs before Kristaps Porzingis got injured.
They ended up choking a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets eventually.
Even before the arrival of Leonard and George, the Clippers had several playoff misfortunes.
There is a weird aura around the Clippers in the playoffs.
They tend to seem off in intense games.
The Mavericks seem ready to capitalize on their misfortunes.
This dark cloud might be hanging over the Clippers to the joy of the Mavericks.
Their play mixed in with this possible curse can lead Dallas out of the first round.
Do not be surprised if you see an upset in this series.
NEXT: Is Luka Doncic A Good Defender? (Full Argument)