3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' concerning loss to Clippers in Game 1

On Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks played their first game of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers on the road.

This was a series that everyone couldn't wait to see, and the first game didn't disappoint when it came to intensity.

There was a technical and flagrant foul assessed in this game, and these two teams picked up right where they left off in the 2020 and 2021 Playoffs.

3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' concerning loss to Clippers in Game 1

LA got the best of Dallas in Game 1 as they won 109-97, but Dallas showed some promise in the second half of the game. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving led a comeback in the second half, but it was too little, too late.

Everything was falling for LA, especially in the first half, and James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Paul George led the way for the Clippers, and this loss was a bit concerning considering that the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard.

Zubac was dominant in the paint, especially in the first half, and Harden was electric. He was playing with a different energy and Russell Westbrook was also a big difference-maker off the bench.

While the Mavs weren't great, there are still some positives from this game.

Here are three studs and two duds from the Mavs' Game 1 loss to the Clippers.

5. Stud - P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington only finished with 11 points in Game 1 against the LA Clippers, but his defense all night long was excellent. Jason Kidd had Washington guard James Harden to start the game, and this plan worked effectively. Harden started hunting switches and Kidd started using Derrick Jones Jr. to guard him, but Washington was the most locked in of anyone else on the team when it comes to defense.

Offensively, Washington shot 4-10 from the field and hit a couple of shots early in the game. He knocked down a three and then a floater off a drive to the rim, and it looked as if he had set the tone for the entire game as he was balling on both ends of the floor.

His offense slowed down and his defense may get overlooked, but he was one of the few bright spots from this game. Dallas will need him to play elite defense in Game 2 and he remains a massive X-factor in this series.