Mavs' Luka Dončić hits epic winner at buzzer to level series with LA Clippers
Luka Dončić hit a deep, step-back three-pointer at the buzzer to cap a triple-double on a sprained ankle and the short-handed Dallas Mavericks beat the the Los Angeles Clippers 135-133 in overtime Sunday to even the playoff series at two games apiece.
Dončić had 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists for his second straight triple-double.
Marcus Morris hit a three-pointer with 9 seconds remaining in OT to give the Clippers the lead. It simply set the stage for Dončić’s winner over Reggie Jackson.
The Mavericks had their biggest playoff comeback, overcoming a 21point, second- quarter deficit. They had a 16-0 run in the third to take the lead – and led by 12 points in the fourth before the Clippers rallied.
Lou Williams tied it at 121 by hitting two of three free throws with 50.6 seconds remaining in regulation. After Dallas failed to score on the next possession, the Clippers called a timeout to set up a play with 24.7 seconds left.
Kawhi Leonards three-point shot with 0.2 seconds remaining was off the mark. The Mavericks failed on a lob toward big man Boban Marjanovic to send it to overtime.
The 21-year-old Dončić was a gametime decision after he hurt his left ankle in the last game. He hardly looked hampered, going 18 of 31 from the floor. He tested the ankle often, too, with jump stops, pivots and an impressive Eurosteps to gain separation.
Dončić didn’t have center Kristaps Porziņģis, who sat out with right knee soreness.
Williams scored 36 points for the Clippers, and Leonard had 32. Paul
George had nine points as his struggles continued. He was 3 of 14 from the field and is shooting 29 in the series.
Jazz 129, Nuggets 127
Donovan Mitchell scored 18 of his 51 points in the fourth quarter and Utah withstood a 50-point night from Jamal Murray to beat Denver and take a 3-1 series lead.
Mitchell was 15 of 27 from the floor and went 17 of 18 from the free throw line. He had 57 points in Game 1 and is averaging 39.5 points in the series. The Jazz can close it out in Game 5 on Tuesday.
Murray, who hit a long three-pointer near the buzzer, had the most-ever by a Denver player in a postseason game, surpassing Spencer Haywoods mark of 45 in an ABA playoff contest on 19 April 1970. Murray also had 11 rebounds. Nikola Jokić added 29 points for Denver.
Mike Conley had 26 points for Utah in his second game since returning to the NBA bubble after leaving for the birth of his son. Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Celtics 110, 76ers 106
Kemba Walker scored 32 points and Boston pulled away in fourth quarter to complete a first-round series sweep of Philadelphia.
Jayson Tatum added 28 points and had a playoff career-high 15 rebounds for Boston. The Celtics advanced to Eastern Conference semifinals and a meeting with the winner of the matchup between Toronto and Brooklyn.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Tobias Harris added 20 points and five rebounds.
Raptors 150, Nets 122
Norman Powell scored 29 points, fellow reserve Serge Ibaka added 27 points and 15 rebounds and Toronto steamrolled into the Eastern Conference semifinals by routing Brooklyn to complete a four-game sweep.
The Raptors lost Kyle Lowry to an ankle injury in the first quarter but the defending NBA champions had more than enough depth and power left to wrap up the first sweep in franchise history.
Pascal Siakam had 20 points and 10 assists for the Raptors. They upped their record to 11-1 in the bubble. Caris LeVert scored 35 points for Brooklyn.