Luka Doncic asked this Tuesday
calm and cool head to the Dallas Mavericks so that they do not get carried away by the euphoria after achieving their second away victory against the Los Angeles Clippers (121-127), in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
“We haven’t done anything yet. There are still two games to win.”, summed up the Slovenian in the press conference after the meeting.
Doncic, who in Saturday’s triumph already achieved a triple-double, gave another recital tonight and got 39 points (16 of 29 shooting), 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
Thus he was able to counter the splendid performance of Leonard, whose 41 points (14 of 21 in shooting) in the end were of no use to the Clippers.
Although these two victories in Los Angeles put the Mavericks in an unbeatable position to overcome the Angelenos, Doncic considered that “there are many things” that can still improve.
Between them he cited the success in free throws and defense.
This series comes with many unfinished business from the more recent past as in the Orlando “bubble” the Clippers beat the Mavericks 4-2 in Doncic’s first NBA playoff appearance.
In this regard, the young star explained that they learned “a lot” last year in the playoffs and that that can help them in these playoffs.
“I think mentally we are better than last year and I think it shows”, he indicated.
Doncic, who during many parts of the game was applauded by the Staples Center in Los Angeles, greeted Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who was in the stands, after the game.
Porzingis doesn’t take it for granted either.
Kristaps Porzingis, who with 20 points was one of Doncic’s best squires, joined in his teammate’s speech and urged not to be confident against the Clippers.
“Every game is different. It is game by game. We have to have a mentality as if we are still zero to zero”, he opined.
The Latvian center said the Mavericks should stay alert for the next game, in which he hopes the Clippers will make some changes to stay alive in the series.
“We have to be prepared for that and we have to continue in the same vein to win this series”he added.
On the sidelines of the game, Porzingis referred to the $ 50,000 fine imposed by the NBA for having skipped the coronavirus protocols after going to a club in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The Mavericks player assumed it was his mistake and that now you will have to pay for it.
The series between Clippers and Mavericks now travels to Dallas, which will host Game 3 this Friday.