The Los Angeles Clippers were ready to put Luka Doncic to work on the defensive end this series, hoping to get the same results they had in Game 1. That wasn't the case in Game 2, as the Clippers scored just 2 runs. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Doncic shot /17 from the floor Tuesday night in shots where he was the primary defender.
„I accept it,” Doncic told the media after the game. „It also gets me going on the defensive end, so if they want to hit me, that's fine. I think I played good defense today. So, just stay in.”
Game 2 is arguably the best defensive game Dancic has had in his NBA career, one of the few question marks of his career so far, insisting on giving up double teams or assists and getting stops himself. He delivered again and again. Here's Kawhi putting his seat belt on Leonard.
There are plenty of other clips like the one above where Doncic embraces the challenge and wins individual battles. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said after the game, „We knew they were going to put him in every pick-and-roll, and a few years ago, understandably, we had to ask him to participate, but he participates at a high level on both ends.”
The Clippers are trying to throw Danzig as many different looks as possible on both ends of the floor. After Game 1, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said, „They're giving Luka (Donczyk) different looks because he's a great player and trying to slow him down. You've got to give him different looks. You've got to play hard.”
Going after Doncic on the defensive end of the floor is another way they'll continue to try to wear Doncic down, but don't expect that to change for Game 3. „They definitely play physical,” the Clippers star said. Paul George said after the game, „But that's playoff basketball, nothing out of the norm.”
Game 3 is Friday at 7 p.m. at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Also Read: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving guide Dallas Mavericks to Game 2 win over Clippers, tie series 1-1
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