Tonight’s Heat win ensures that the Clippers will tip off Game 5 at 7PM PST and not 6PM PST.

Important little scheduling nugget:

Game 5 of Clippers-Mavs will all but likely be at 7PM PST on Wednesday, May 1st.

*HOWEVER, there is a chance the game will be played at 6PM PST *IF* both the Celtics-Heat and Thunder-Pelicans series finish in sweeps.

Kawhi Leonard was noticeably rusty in his return to the Clippers lineup following a 22-day absence with right knee inflammation (via Tomer Azarly)

clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-…

Luka Doncic stepping it up when it matters the MOST on the defensive end 🗜️

He held the Clippers to 2-of-16 from the floor in Game 2 as the primary defender.

James Harden 3 PTS (1-of-5 FG)
Terance Mann 0 PTS (0-of-2 FG)
Norman Powell 0

Here's who is most to blame after a tough Clippers Game 2 loss.

clutchpoints.com/clippers-most-…

Luka Doncic on Kawhi Leonard:

“He's an unbelievable player. We all know when the playoffs come, he's even better. He's locked in offensively and defensively, so it's really tough to stop. I learned a lot playing against him. He's an unbelievable player.”

Kawhi Leonard essentially confirmed that he didn’t do much on the court work before returning today.

Would expect today and maybe even Friday to be games where he really works the rust off and gets back to form.

Me: “What have the last few weeks been like as you were trying to ramp up to get to this point right now?”

Kawhi Leonard: “Just trying to make sure I can get into the game and play. That's what last week's been about, just trying to get back on the floor.”

“Have you been able

“Both teams were under 100. It was 90’s basketball at its best.”

Jason Kidd on the Mavs’ grueling Game 2 win over the Clippers 🗣️

(H/T CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable)

Kenny Smith caught sleeping on Inside the NBA in 4k 😅

(via NBA on TNT)

Clippers fall to the Mavs, 96-93. Series is tied 1-1.

James Harden: 22 pts, 6 rebs, 8 asts
Paul George: 22 pts, 2 rebs, 4 asts
Ivica Zubac: 13 pts, 12 rebs
Kawhi Leonard: 15 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts, 4 stls

Luka Doncic: 32 pts, 6 rebs, 9 asts
Kyrie Irving: 23 pts, 6 Rebs, 3 asts

Kawhi Leonard returned, but Luka Doncic arrived.

SERIES TIED 1-1 🤯

PAUL GEORGE WITH AN ACROBATIC FINISH IN TRAFFIC 😱

Clippers might be in some trouble here if they're not careful. Down 84-77 with 3:58 remaining.

Mavs have found something here in the 4th out of posting Luka Doncic on the right block over and over again. LA offense is just all over the place. As a team, shooting 32.9% FG.

Clippers insert Ivica Zubac into the game and take out Norman Powell. We've now got...

James
Russ
PG
Kawhi
Zu

Clippers go full small out of the timeout

Russ
Harden
Norm Powell
PG
Kawhi

Much needed Russell Westbrook energy has been brought.

Clippers lead the Mavs 73-67, their biggest lead of the game. Russ is up tot 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists

The Clippers are shooting 36.2% from the field *AND LEAD* 73-67 with 9:32 left in the 4th.

The Mavs, who were hovering around 42-43%, are down to 37.5% for the game.

Norman Powell beats the shot clock with a CLUTCH three 🔥

Luka Doncic lays it up to beat the 3rd quarter buzzer but is assessed a technical foul immediately after.

Good or bad no call? 🤔