Mavericks vs. Clippers Game 2 Preview: Dallas needs Game 5

The Dallas Mavericks head back to California to play the Los Angeles Clippers in Game five of their first round Western Conference playoff series. The game starts at 9:00 pm CST and is nationally broadcast on TNT and locally on TXA21. The series is currently tied at 2-2 and game five is often historically predictive of where the series is going. Dallas needs to win this one. Let’s get to the main things:
• WHAT: Playoffs? Are you kidding me?!

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Olivier Maxence-Prosper are still listed as out with ankle injuries. Hardaway suffered some setbacks in practice, so he may be a while. Luka Doncic is listed as questionable with a knee injury. He’s already told the media he’s playing but because of his knee and because he’s battling some unknown illness, if it were regular season he’d be taking the night off. Who knows what to expect from Luka. For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard is out with knee inflammation.

This game is wildly important. There’s no other way around that. Dallas needs to win this. There’s a lot of feelings around this game and if you say you’re not anxious, I do not believe you. There’s been some good, even great, writing on the site the past few days. If you haven’t been to the site in a few days, go check out and scroll. I was just delighted with what our team turned in the last few days. If you’re here early, go check out Pod Maverick. Rob Mahoney came on and talked Mavericks basketball; it was a great show.

Thanks so much for hanging out. We’ll see everyone after the game! Go Mavs.