3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' chippy Game 3 win over Clippers

On Friday night, the Dallas Mavericks took on the LA Clippers in a pivotal Game 3 at the American Airlines Center.

The Mavs had split the first two games in LA with a disappointing loss in Game 1 and a gutsy win in Game 2, and Game 3 was Dallas' best game of all three of them as they won 101-90.

The Mavs got out of the gates hot as they led 54-41 at halftime, and the game was physical and chippy from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Russell Westbrook was called for a flagrant one foul after hitting Josh Green in the head.

3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' chippy Game 3 win over Clippers

This play got the crowd much more involved than it already was, and Green finished with a strong first half as he had six points and brought his usual energy. He was clearly an X-factor heading into this series, and he is someone who could help take this team to new heights if he can play with consistency.

Here are three studs and two duds from the Mavs' crucial home victory over the LA Clippers.

5. Stud - Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford feeds off energy and some of the loudest moments at the American Airlines Center throughout the regular season were hustle plays by Gafford. The crowd loves it when he creates second-chance opportunities, finishes lobs, and runs the floor.

His energy is infectious, and his start to this game alone helped the Mavs get out to an early lead that helped propel them to this win.

Gafford had six early points, two of which were dunks, and he got the crowd involved early. The American Airlines Center erupted after his bucket to start the game that he created himself with an offensive rebound after Luka Doncic missed a three, and his presence on the floor is always felt.

His chest slaps, screams, and encouragement to teammates show how important he is to the team, and his dunks are always pivotal points in the game. His blocks also always bring energy and he is never afraid to get dunked on.

Dallas continues to be elite with Gafford as the starting center, and although Ivica Zubac still had a good game, he didn't noticeably dominate down low as much as he did earlier in the series.

4. Dud - Dante Exum

Coming into this series, Dante Exum was expected to be a huge X-factor for the Dallas Mavericks. Exum has been absolutely phenomenal in the clutch all season long for Dallas, and his composure late in games made him a key piece of the closing lineup.

He even had a stretch where he was a dominant starter, and he was statistically the best shooter on the team during the regular season. When he got the ball from behind the arc, it seemed like he always drilled it.

Exum's improvements as a shooter helped him return to the NBA and be a pivotal piece of the Mavs' rotation this season, but his performance in the playoffs has not lived up to the big expectations that fans had for him due to his excellent regular season.

In Game 3, Exum finished with zero points while shooting 0-4 from the field. Exum seems to have lost a bunch of his confidence as a shooter, and he doesn't have the same poise that he once had with the rock in his hands.

He almost looks uncomfortable handing the ball and it seems like he is always trying to get the ball out of his hands. Through three games, Exum has scored just three points while shooting 1-9 from the field, and his struggles at the end of the season could have led to this slow start in the playoffs.

3. Stud - Dereck Lively II

In Game 1, Dereck Lively II only finished with three points, but he did end up with three blocks and four rebounds. He then followed that up with seven points and nine rebounds in Game 2 and was a huge force off the bench. He played so well that Jason Kidd could have even considered starting him in Game 3, but Kidd ended up rolling with Gafford.

Tonight, Lively II finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and two blocks while shooting 6-8 from the field. He did most of his damage in the first half of this game, and his presence down low as a shot blocker was huge.

In the previous two games (especially the first game), Dallas struggled to stop Ivica Zubac down low, but Lively II did much better than Gafford when guarding him. He was playing with physicality and not backing down, and that's exactly what the Mavs need out of Lively II.

In Game 3, Lively II had such a great start due to his availability as a dunker and his ability to catch and finish lobs. This has been Lively II's bread and butter all season, and this continued into Game 3 in a big way.

Lively II playing this well during a tough time in his life as his mother passed away this month shows the type of player and young man he is. Everyone in Dallas has spoken highly of Lively II all season long and he never shies away from the big moment when the lights are at their brightest.

2. Dud - Russell Westbrook

LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook's 0-7 shooting night earns him a spot as a dud by itself, but his extracurriculars were even worse than his performance in the game.

It all started in the first half when Westbrook was given a flagrant one when he hammered Josh Green on the head when trying to block his dunk attempt. Westbrook pleaded his case to the referees despite it clearly being the right call, and Green took a hard fall after this foul.

Later in the game when it was out of reach for the Clippers, Westbrook decided to wrap up Luka Doncic when he was trying to drive to the basket and then shoved Doncic afterward. P.J. Washington then came over to try to split up the two players, consequently shoving Westbrook, and he took exception to that.

Westbrook retaliated by going at Washington, and both Westbrook and Washington were both ejected. This play by Westbrook was nowhere near a basketball play, and he lost his composure when things got hard.

Multiple Mavericks players talked about how important keeping their composure is in chippy games like this, and Westbrook took his passion way too far in this one. Dallas trying to get in Westbrook's head in some of the upcoming games could lead to a similar result, and him getting ejected from another game could be huge for the Mavs.

1. Stud - Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic picked up right where he left off after putting on a show in Game 2 in the clutch, and he willed the Dallas Mavericks to a Game 3 victory over the LA Clippers.

Doncic finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 7-25 from the field and 3-14 from downtown. Luka in the playoffs continues to be one of the most unstoppable forces in the league, and Friday night illustrated that beautifully.

He was getting to his spots, getting his teammates involved, and his killer mentality was shining through him and rubbing off on his teammates. One moment from the game that shows how dialed in Doncic was happened late in the second quarter when he hit a stepback bucket on Kawhi Leonard.

Doncic briefly hit the "too small" gesture after scoring on one of the best defenders of this generation, and Doncic's leadership has been huge in these playoffs, and the team always looks to him when things get tough. His field goal percentage doesn't look great tonight, but he made plays when it mattered most.

The Mavericks and Clippers rivalry continues to be one of the best in the NBA, and Doncic has been right in the middle of it since Dallas met the Clippers in the playoffs in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021.

Doncic is always at his best when playing the Clippers, and he will need to continue to dominate for the Mavs to take down LA.

Dallas' next game against the Clippers is on Sunday.

For all the latest on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, stay tuned.