Clippers, Mavericks a star trek

Los Angeles Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were playing together at a high level before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the NBA in its tracks. They’ve regained their form just in time for the playoffs and a showdown with the talented Dallas duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.

The second-seeded Clippers and seventhseeded Dallas Mavericks will meet starting Monday in a Western Conference first-round matchup. It’s the Clippers’ highest playoff seed in franchise history.

For decades, the NBA, particularly its playoffs, has revolved around star power, and this series will be no exception. But the Clippers stars are seasoned veterans while the Mavericks stars are young pups with much to prove in their first playoff exposure. The Clippers were 3-0 against the Mavericks in the regular season, winning by an average of 11 points.

“It’s a very challenging matchup because of their talent and the physical nature of how they play,”Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “We’ll learn a lot about ourselves as we begin competing in the series.

Jazz

Utah said guard Mike Conley left Walt Disney World Sunday to return to Columbus, Ohio, for the birth of his son. The sixth-seeded Jazz begin a first-round Wesern Conference playoff series against No. 3 seed Denver Monday. Players who leave the bubble are subject to a quarantine upon their return, though the length won’t be determined until then.