Break their will

There is a decent chance that this is already done. This Clippers team, talented as they may be, hasn’t shown the ability to handle adversity very well. And aside from maybe a 3-0 deficit, there is no greater adversity than losing the first two games at home in a best-of-seven series. Sprinkle an almost full capacity American Airlines Center crowd, who hasn’t seen their team in over a year, it looks very bad for the Clippers.

However the Mavericks cannot think like that. They’re young, streaky, & even immature at times. You can’t afford that at this time. Especially considering your opponents propensity to fold at the first sign of trouble. You put them in that dreaded 3-0 hole & they’re certainly toast. Don’t let them rest, don’t inspire them, don’t let them gain confidence….break. Their will.

I don’t need to give you a play-by-play breakdown of the game. You certainly saw it. Luka was absolutely scintillating. Tim Hardaway Jr. was nails in the clutch. Kristaps had an efficient night. Others like Maxi Kleber & Josh Richardson stepped up big time.

But none of that really matters in Game 3. They’ve got to do it again & another time after that. So, while it’s easy to celebrate and feel like the series has been won, it hasn’t.

It might be if you take Game 3 though. And it’s up to the Mavericks to keep their foot on the Clippers throat. They will fold. It’s who they are and always have been.

See you Friday.