Clippers squeeze by the Mavericks late in the fourth quarter, 118-110

Orlando- Los Angles Clippers stuns the Dallas Mavericks in the second half, to go up 1-0 in the series.

The Clippers started the game on an 18-2 run and dug the Mavericks in a huge hole early in the first quarter, but the streaky shooting of Seth Curry and Luka Doncic got the Mavericks out of the hole. The Mavericks were feeling it behind the arc and shot 60% for the half. The Mavericks put together a 20-10 run and had the Clippers down by double digits, but Marcus Morris, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard started to get going. Morris and George hit some tough shots, as well as defended Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr. pretty well on the other side of the floor. They got in the passing lanes, caused some turnovers, and turned them into 10 fast break points get themselves back into the game. Leonard and George combined for 30 points, but both of them had three fouls at the end of the half. At the end of the half, the Mavericks were clinging onto a three-point lead, 69-66.

In the second half, the game got a little scrappy, as both teams' defense intensified. Morris and Kristaps Porzingis mixed it up on the court and Porzingis was ejected after getting hit with double technicals.

Late into the fourth quarter, the Clippers were hanging onto a one-point lead, but Leonard hit a couple of shots to keep the lead in favor of Los Angeles. Shots by Morris and Patrick Beverley extended the lead to five. With under .45 seconds left in the game, big shot George hit a three-pointer to put the game out of reach for the Mavericks and extend the lead to eight. After playing the foul game, the Clippers escape with a win, 118-110.

In his first playoff game, Luka becomes the first player in NBA history to score 40 points in a playoff debut.

Leonard finished the game with 26 points, 6 assists, and 12 rebounds. George finished the game with 27 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds. Morris finished the game with 19 points, 1 assist, and 6 rebounds.