Mavericks Claw Back to Steal Game 2 From Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a thrilling comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, taking home-court advantage away from their rivals in the process. The 96-93 win evens the Western Conference first-round playoff series at 1-1.

Doncic and Irving Lead the Charge

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were the offensive engines for the Mavs. Doncic poured in a game-high 32 points, while Irving added 23 points of his own.

"Obviously it was a must-win and everybody was locked in," said P.J. Washington Jr., who chipped in with 18 points, including a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter.

Kawhi Returns, But Rust Shows

The Clippers received a boost with the return of Kawhi Leonard, who missed the last six weeks due to knee inflammation. However, Leonard understandably looked rusty, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds in his 35 minutes on the court.

"I felt good," Leonard said. "We still got more games to play and more time to get better. Just keep trying to get a rhythm back."

Both Mavericks and Clippers displayed strong defensive efforts, holding each other under 100 points. The Clippers struggled offensively, shooting just 37% from the field and a dismal 8 for 30 from three-point range.

Mavs Take Control in the Fourth

Despite trailing for much of the game, the Mavericks flipped the script in the fourth quarter. A dominant 14-0 run gave them a commanding 81-73 lead, fueled by threes from Washington, Doncic, and Irving.

The Clippers made a late push, but it wasn't enough. A clutch challenge by the Mavericks overturned a foul call on Irving, who sank three free throws to seal the victory. George's buzzer-beater was merely a consolation for the Clippers.

Series Shifts to Dallas

With the series tied, the focus now shifts to Dallas for Game 3 on Friday night. The Mavericks will look to capitalize on their home-court advantage and take a series lead. The Clippers, meanwhile, will need a much sharper performance from Leonard and a more consistent offensive effort to avoid falling behind.

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