On April 22, Beijing time, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 109-97 at home, this game was a hearty victory for the Clippers, the Clippers could win without the core Kawhi Leonard + 20 fewer free throws, the key is that Doncic + Irving scored a total of 64 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.
The key to the Clippers' win is James Harden, when Harden lacks giant teammates in the playoffs, he can always burst out with great energy, last year's Eastern Conference semifinals G1 without Embiid, he bombarded 45 points to defeat Green Kai, two 40+ games in a round series, although there was no 40+ in this game, but he also laid the tone for victory.
Harden scored 28 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks in the game with 39 minutes and 26 seconds, 8 of 17, 6 of 11 three-pointers, and 6 free throws, shooting 47.1% from the field, 54.5% from three-point range, and 71.3% from the field, and 20 points in the first half have helped the Clippers open the gap.
Harden also ushered in milestones in this game: 1. Entering the playoffs for 15 consecutive years in his career, the longest active record;
2. He has never missed the playoffs in 15 years of his career, and is the seventh player in history to enter the playoffs for 15 consecutive years.
3. Harden has risen to 17th all-time with over 3,665 playoff points, ahead of him is Magic Johnson.
Clippers owner Ballmer saw Harden's rebellious performance, he first applauded Brother Deng wildly, then covered his face in disbelief, and finally he began to roar excitedly. The league's richest boss loves Harden too much.
After the start of the regular season in October last year, the Clippers exchanged Morris Jr. + Batum + Covington + Martin Jr. + 2 first-round picks + 2 second-round picks + 1 draft pick swap from Philadelphia for Harden, Tucker, and Petrusheff, that is, 8 for 3, and now Philadelphia has lost G1 in the first round, and Harden led the Clippers to win G1.
Harden has not lost in Series G1 since 2019.
Text/Yan Xiaobai