Luka Doncic nets 42 as Mavs split games with Clippers

DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 15: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers takes a shot against Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by RONALD MARTINEZ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Luka Doncic scored 42 points, his fourth game with at least 40 this season, as the Dallas Mavericks earned a 105-89 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday to earn a split of a two-game set between the teams at Dallas.

Tim Hardaway Jr. had 15 points as the Mavericks won two days after a 109-99 defeat to the Clippers. The Mavericks, who were eliminated in the first round of last season’s playoffs by the Clippers, won the season series 2-1 between the teams.

Doncic added nine assists and shot 16 of 28 from the field, while Kristaps Porzingis had 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Paul George scored 28 points and Kawhi Leonard added 20 as the Clippers lost for the fifth time in their last seven games and went 1-2 on a quick road trip to New Orleans and Dallas.

Los Angeles was without Serge Ibaka (back) for the second consecutive game, while head coach Tyronn Lue went with a starting lineup that included Ivica Zubac and Marcus Morris Sr. in back-to-back contests.

The Mavericks held the Clippers to 42 percent shooting from the field, one game after Los Angeles made half of their 86 field-goal attempts. The Clippers shot just 28.1 percent from 3-point range, while Dallas shot 44.1 percent from distance.

The Mavericks led 77-63 late in the third quarter after consecutive baskets by Porzingis. Two 3-pointers by George in the final 32 seconds of the third got the Clippers within 77-71.

The Mavericks pushed their lead back to double digits early in the fourth quarter and cruised home from there.

Zubac had 14 points with seven rebounds for the Clippers, while Morris had 11 points and seven rebounds. Nicolas Batum had just three points in his second game coming off the bench.

Josh Richardson had 14 points and Maxi Kleber had 12 for the Mavericks.

Dallas played without Dorian Finney-Smith, who was out after the birth of his child. Dwight Powell played three minutes in his return after missing Monday’s game because of a non-COVID related illness.

–Field Level Media