After the memorable performance of Game 4, Luka Doncic had to see in his face why the Clippers are candidates for the ring. The Slovenian gave signs from the beginning that his left ankle discomfort has worsened in recent days, but his biggest problem was the Los Angeles awakening. They have reached the NBA bubble a month late, but the business card is resounding: victory by 154-111 to leave the Mavericks on the brink.

The Clippers are the best equipped team to defend players like Doncic. They have plenty of hard and versatile forwards to make him suffer in the melee, make him uncomfortable as they had only achieved in the third game of the tie. After Sunday's display, he paid penance: 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists with very limited impact (6/17 shooting, 5 losses). The Slovenian received treatment on the bench, let out gestures of pain and some doubt, but the merit of Los Angeles outweighed more.

The Clippers sent the Mavs to the canvas in the first quarter with a 32-6 run. And the best news was not the result, but the protagonist, Paul George. The Californian forward confessed to having had psychological problems in the bubble and having needed help from specialists to get out of the pothole in which he was stuck. After a dismal start, he emerged with 35 points in just 25 minutes. Since the possession clock exists (1954), no one has scored so much in the playoffs in such a short time.

Finally George seconded Kawhi Leonard, who with his disarming effectiveness finished with 32 points in half an hour. Dallas had no brakes for the avalanche overhead: The Clippers scored 154 points on a 76.2% effective shooting percentage. Nobody had placed so many triples (22) with such success (62.9%). After the slap on the wrist from his coach, Doc Rivers, the intensity rose on both hoops.

Ever maybe beyond what is right. Doncic declined to comment when asked if he believed Marcus Morris's stomp on his injured ankle was unintentional :

After the improvement of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks in the last games, the Clippers had to finally present weapons in Orlando . Doncic and the Mavs suffered, even without Kristaps Porzingis. On Thursday, first round with elimination at stake.

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