Clippers Trailing Mavericks Series: A Look at the Playoff Standings

Following their worst postseason loss in franchise history in what could have been their final game at Crypto.com Arena, the Clippers head to Dallas for Game 6 leaning on the fact that they have been in this exact situation before. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

 The LA Clippers are heading to Dallas for Game 6 of their playoff series against the Mavericks, after losing Game 5 in what could have been their final home game at Crypto.com Arena. Despite the loss, the Clippers are confident they can avoid elimination, drawing on their experience of having won three times in Dallas during the first round in 2021. They also beat Dallas in six games in a 2020 first-round series and again in seven games in the first round the following postseason, making them confident that they can win on the road. The Clippers are leaning on their recent history against the Mavericks in the postseason, having won the last two playoff series against them. The team will need to bounce back after their worst postseason loss in franchise history, but they are determined to respond.

The Clippers played their worst game of the series in Game 5, shooting an abysmal 9-for-35 from behind the arc and looking like they had no answer for Dallas' defense in a 123-93 loss. Clippers coach Ty Lue acknowledged that they didn't play well, defensively or offensively, but he emphasized the importance of turning the page and focusing on the next game.

The Clippers will have to play without Kawhi Leonard, who has missed the past two games due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations, said that Leonard won't be cleared to play until he can move the way he did when he played 35 minutes in his return in Game 2 after over three weeks off.

James Harden had a tough night in Game 5, shooting just 2-for-12, including 1-for-7 from the 3-point line. He finished with 7 points, 7 assists, and 4 turnovers. Paul George also struggled, shooting 4-for-13 and finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook had a rough shooting night as well, going 2-for-11 from the field and finishing with 6 points and 5 rebounds.

Defensively, the Clippers gambled too much in the first half, going for steals or trying to force turnovers, leaving themselves exposed to Dallas' offense. Mavericks star Luka Doncic had 35 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, while role players such as Maxi Kleber made the Clippers pay for their mistakes, making 5 of 7 from behind the arc for 15 points.

The Clippers are mentally preparing for Game 6, knowing that if they lose, their season will be over. They are confident that they can win in Dallas, having done it before, but they will need to play their best game to avoid elimination. The uncharacteristic mistakes they made in Game 5 will need to be corrected, and they will need to be better on both ends of the floor. The Clippers are hoping to return to Crypto.com Arena for a Game 7, but they will need to win in Dallas first.