Luka Doncic came in to tie the NBA Playoffs series after leading Dallas to a 96-93 victory despite that the Los Angeles Clippers hoped that Kawhi Leonard return to the lineup will help them keep the momentum going for them.
Luka Doncic was unstoppable with 32 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Kyrie Irving added 23 points as Dallas split the first two games of the NBA opening round series.
The Mavericks led for most of the first half, but the Clippers responded in the third and fourth quarter taking a 67-73 advantage. The Mavs kept their head in the game and scored the next 14 points to take an 81-73 lead. The Mavericks kept its composure until the end and now the series are going to Dallas for Game 3 on Friday.
Paul George and James Harden led the Clippers with 22 points each, while Kawhi Leonard had 15 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes of his first game since March 31.
The Indiana Pacers withstood Damian Lillard’s offensive barrage in the first half and Pascal Siakam scored 37 points on the Milwaukee Bucks to lead his team to a 125-108 victory. The Pacers needed Siakam to step up after the first half with Damian Lillard dropping 26 by halftime.
Pacers responded as Siakam took control and run away with a huge road victory going to Game 3 which will take place in Indiana on Friday. Myles Turner scored 22 points and Andrew Nembhard 20 for the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton had 12 points and 12 assists.
Damian Lillard finished with 34 points, while Brook Lopez scored 22 points and shot 6 of 7 from 3-point range.
Minnesota Timberwolves demonstrated another masterful performance on defense and doubled their wins against the Phoenix Suns beating them 93-105. Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points for a career best in the playoffs, while Rudy Gobert and Mike Conly had 18 points each.
The two veterans stepped up as the Phoenix Suns clamped Anthony Edwards keeping him to 12 points on 3-of-12 shooting. The big three of Booker, Durant and Bradley Beal combined to shoot 18 for 45. Devin Booker scored 20 points and Kevin Durant added 18.
Phoenix lost guard Grayson Allen to an aggravated ankle sprain in the third quarter as the series heading to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday night. T-Wolves took their first 2-0 lead in an NBA Playoffs series for the first time since 2004, when they reached the NBA Western Conference Finals.
NBA Playoffs (24/4)
Phoenix Suns (6) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (3) 93-105 (0-2)
Indiana Pacers (6) vs Milwaukee Bucks (3) 125-108 (1-1)
Dallas Mavericks (5) vs LA Clippers (4) 96-93 (1-1)
