Tuesday’s NBA playoffs: Mavericks, Pacers join the fight; Suns’ Big 3 bottled up

By Kelly Iko, Eric Nehm, Jon Krawczynski, Doug Haller, Law Murray and Tim Cato

Kawhi Leonard’s first game since March 31 proved to be a true defensive battle, and one in which the LA Clippers couldn’t prevail. In their 96-93 Game 2 loss to Dallas, the Clippers held the Mavericks to fewer points than in their Game 1 victory that saw the Clippers win 109-97. But the Clippers offense struggled throughout the entire nine-man rotation, being held to 36.8 percent in field goals in a Mavericks win that tied the series at one and flipped home-court advantage.

It was a nail-biter to cap off a Tuesday slate that opened with the Minnesota Timberwolves’ handling of the Phoenix Suns’ Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal that saw the Timberwolves take a 2-0 series lead on a 105-93 victory.

Then the Milwaukee Bucks — without star Giannis Antetokounmpo for Game 2 as he continues to rehab a calf strain — dropped the matchup to the Indiana Pacers, making the series even at one apiece. It was a night that saw a big performance from Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, who scored 37 points and had 11 rebounds. Damian Lillard had 34 points for the Bucks, but couldn’t carry his team to victory without the help of his two-time NBA MVP counterpart.

Mavericks 96, Clippers 93

The two battle it out for Game 3 on Friday at 8 p.m. ET in Dallas.

Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving show up just in time

The Mavericks have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, have you heard? It’s that star duo that leads this team’s success for better or worse, that causes the terror opponents feel playing against them, that picks up their teammates when they make mistakes. Entering the fourth quarter down one point, Doncic’s night had been inefficient and Irving’s quiet. Dallas’ role players were struggling to make shots and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd’s rotations had tightened to just a few trusted players.

And then those two arrived: loudly, dramatically, with Irving then Doncic hitting 3s that put Dallas first up three and then six. Irving chipped in a baseline floater. It was with that gravitas from those two, taking over when required, that finally summoned help from the role players: P.J. Washington and Maxi Kleber, specifically. In a game where space constricted into an abyss of limbs and danger, one where the Clippers’ defensive intensity ratcheted even higher with the return of Leonard, every point felt like an oasis.

Dallas matched that intensity. One game after Kidd said his team didn’t start the first half with enough physicality, the team brought heaps of it from the opening whistle. Doncic and Irving led the charge with frantic-yet-focused effort just like Kidd had asked from them. And despite what it took from them through three quarters, those 36 minutes where Dallas must have felt it squandered chances to have the lead, those two stars once again showed up in the fourth when needed.

And now the series goes back to Dallas for the next two. — Tim Cato, Mavericks beat writer

👑 PRAVI MVP 👑 pic.twitter.com/yid5UgPpFs

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 24, 2024

Kawhi Leonard, supporting cast struggle offensively

The worst game that the Clippers had all season from a field goal percentage standpoint was 37.6 percent at the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA’s top defense for the season. But despite scoring only 89 points in that game, the Clippers were able to escape with a one-point victory.

That wasn’t the case in Game 2. The Clippers actually held the Mavericks to fewer points (96) than in Game 1, but the Clippers offense struggled and saw limited favors from Leonard’s return from injury. The two-time Finals MVP played his first game in 23 days Tuesday night, but he only scored 15 points on 7 of 17 field goals, missing all five of his 3s.

Leonard’s co-stars were somewhat better from the field, as Paul George and James Harden had 22 points each while making 13 of 28 field goals (an acceptable 46.4 percent). But Harden missed 8 of 10 3s, while George missed 3 of 4 3s prior to a meaningless 3 at the buzzer.

The other Clippers struggled mightily from everywhere. Ivica Zubac was a Game 1 star, scoring 20 points on 10 of 17 field goals. But in Game 2, Zubac was subpar, missing 7 of 12 field goals. The Clippers other than George, Harden and Zubac struggled to score efficiently in Game 1, especially in the paint. Game 2 was arguably worse, with the Clippers having a major struggle inside and outside. Terance Mann, Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook and Amir Coffey combined to score only 20 points on 7 of 27 shooting (25.9 percent).

Regression to the mean is a nice thing to count on, and the Clippers can certainly be better at making their shots on both a star level and a role player level. But the Mavericks have arrived. Their top-ranked defense over the last quarter of the regular season is relevant now to the Clippers. — Law Murray, Clippers beat writer

Pacers 125, Bucks 108

Tied up, each team looks to take the Game 3 edge on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET in Indianapolis.

Pacers adjust accordingly to even the series

It’s clear after two games that Milwaukee’s defensive gameplan is pressuring Tyrese Haliburton first and foremost, forcing him to relinquish the ball and trusting the rotations behind. It worked in Game 1, with the Pacers missing an eye-popping 30 of their 38 3s in conjunction with a surprisingly timid Haliburton, who seemed unwilling to force the issue. For a team that spent the majority of the regular season functioning as an average to an above-average outside shooting team, Game 1 was a worrying sign, especially against an experienced Bucks team.

At the outset of Game 2, the Pacers made it clear that adjustments had been made from Sunday night’s dud. Haliburton showed poise controlling the tempo, and even when Milwaukee sent doubles and traps his way, the ball moved crisply around the floor, ensuring that the Pacers gave up good shots for great ones. Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner and Siakam combined to hit nine triples, more than the entirety of Game 1. As a team, Indiana shot an impressive 15 of 34 from behind the arc.

Pascal Siakam is cookin’ ♨️

his back-to-back buckets force a timeout. he’s up to 37 points. pic.twitter.com/aCvlOxtvO4

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 24, 2024

The Pacers’ 3-point proficiency forced the Bucks to alter their aggression and approach, leaving gaps in the middle of the floor for Siakam, who made 16 of 23 shots in notching his 37 points. — Kelly Iko, NBA staff writer

Bucks greatly miss Antetokounmpo

This was never going to be easy for the Bucks without Antetokounmpo. They took Game 1 behind a monster performance from Lillard and a poor performance from the Pacers, who seemed to be shook by the Bucks’ playoff-level intensity and focus. But with the Pacers more locked in and ready for the moment in Game 2, the Bucks just didn’t have enough on either end of the floor.

On defense, without their roaming physical freak, the Bucks have needed to load up their defensive attack and hope the Pacers miss some 3-pointers. In Game 1, they did. In Game 2, they made 10 of their 20 first-half 3-point attempts. And then they got out on the run in the second half because of the Bucks’ offensive struggles.

The Bucks survived in the first half of Game 2 behind another impressive shooting display by Lillard, but didn’t have enough offensively as the game continued. As the Pacers took Lillard away, the Bucks forced up shots around the rim, missed them as they struggled to play through contact and watched the Pacers get out on the run and open up a 20-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter. — Eric Nehm, Bucks beat writer

Timberwolves 105, Suns 93

The Timberwolves walked away with the first win of Tuesday night’s playoff slate, overcoming the Phoenix Suns 105-93.

Jaden McDaniels paced the Wolves with 25 points, with Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley each adding 18 points. Minnesota had three more players — Karl-Anthony Towns (12), Anthony Edwards (15) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10) — score in double figures.

that MC to Rudy connection. 🤌 pic.twitter.com/vW21Kg5BsD

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 24, 2024

For the Suns, Booker led the way with 20 points and Durant had 18.

Minnesota looks to take a commanding lead in Game 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday in Phoenix.

Wolves stop the Big 3

The Timberwolves entered this series facing questions about how they would handle the Suns’ star trio of Durant, Booker and Beal, but through two games of this series, the Suns have had no answers for the Timberwolves’ depth.

The Wolves got pedestrian games from Edwards (15 points, eight assists) and Towns (12 points, eight rebounds) in Game 2, but McDaniels and Conley more than made up for it.

JADEN McDANIELS EVERYBODY. pic.twitter.com/YYWZxbDg8s

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 24, 2024

The Timberwolves seemed to wear the Suns down as the game went on, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a seven-point lead after three quarters, and then blowing the doors open at the start of the fourth quarter to cruise. McDaniels scored 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds while playing terrific defense on Durant, who got most of his 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting.

Conley bounced back from a 2 of 12 Game 1 to go 7 of 13 and score 18 points. By the end of the game, the Suns looked defeated in more ways than one.

The Wolves have kept the Suns stars from hurting them in two games. Booker scored a harmless 20 points before fouling out and Beal had 14 on 6-of-17 shooting.

Minnesota has shown it has counters for any success the Suns are having. In Game 1, it was Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid backing a huge game from Edwards. What was supposed to be one of the most competitive series in the first round has been dominated by Minnesota. It’s been the Suns’ Big 3 against the Wolves’ Big 9. And it hasn’t been close. — Jon Krawczynski, Timberwolves beat writer

Is this series over?

It’s not. But the Suns have issues that need immediate attention upon their return to the desert. Despite Tuesday’s final score, they were better in Game 2. In some areas. They rebounded better and held Edwards mostly in check. They were more physical, with Booker exchanging shoves with McDaniels.

But the Suns have to find a way to get their Big 3 going. They have no other choice. It’s how this team was built, with Booker, Durant and Beal leading the way. Through two games that’s not how it’s played out in Minneapolis. Durant scored 31 in Game 1 but all three struggled to find rhythm in Game 2.

Minnesota’s the best defensive team in the league, so this isn’t surprising. Nor is it an easy fix. The Timberwolves have elite defenders in McDaniels and Gobert and another on the way in Alexander-Walker. But the Suns can’t win a rock fight. Gritty, scrappy, feisty — these are not words that describe them.

They have spurts when they can match an opponent’s toughness. But when adversity hits, they need the Big 3 to become the difference makers they’re supposed to be. It hasn’t happened yet in this series. And it’s likely their only chance. — Doug Haller, Arizona sports writer

Required reading

(Photo: Adam Pantozzi / NBAE via Getty Images)