Doncic beats buzzer with long 3, Mavs beat Clippers in OT

Luka Doncic stepped back for a winning 3-pointer — on a tender ankle, less.Ar installment in ever-growing legend of Doncic. Doncic's deep shot at buzzer capped a triple-double and short-handed Dallas Mavericks beat Los Angeles Clippers 135-133 in overtime Sunday to even playoff series at two games apiece.Doncic finished with 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists for his second straight triple-double.“We kw this kid has got a flair for dramatic,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s a guy that lives for se moments.”To think, Doncic was a game-time decision due to left ankle he hurt in Game 3. But once he stepped on floor, he knew he would give it a go.

And once crunch time hit, ankle wasn't even a thought.“One of best feelings I’ve ever had as a player,” Doncic said about winner. “Just something special.”Marcus Morris hit a 3-pointer with around 9 seconds remaining in OT to give Clippers lead. It simply set st for Doncic's winner over Reggie Jackson. His teammates rushed out to congratulate him.

“Big-time players make big-time plays. He’s a big-time player,” teammate Trey Burke said. “He’s proved it already in this league.”Doncic's atrics helped seventh-seeded Mavericks post ir biggest playoff comeback win, overcoming a 21-point, second-quarter deficit. ir previous best was 19 against Spurs in San Antonio during Game 5 of 2003 Western Conference Finals.

Dallas used a 16-0 run in third to take lead -- and led by 12 points in fourth before Clippers rallied.Lou Williams tied it at 121 by hitting two of three free throws with 50.6 seconds remaining in regulation. After Dallas failed to score on next possession, Clippers called a timeout to set up a play with 24.7 seconds left.

Kawhi Leonard's 3-point shot with 0.2 seconds remaining was off mark. Mavericks failed on a lob toward big man Boban Marjavic to send it to overtime.“Bottom line is last play didn’t lose game for us,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “It was our entire play from second quarter on.”Doncic didn’t have center Kristaps Porzingis, who sat out with right knee soreness.

21-year-old Doncic hurt his left ankle in last game. He hardly looked hampered, going 18 of 31 from floor. He tested ankle often, too, with jump stops, pivots and an impressive Euro-steps to gain separation.Doncic got a brear to start fourth quarter. He sat on bench as trainers worked on his ankle. He n hopped up and down in hallway and rode an exercise bike before returning with 8:33 remaining and Mavericks leading 106-96.

teams exchanged 3-pointer after 3-pointer down stretch of fourth, with Clippers pulling to 119-117 on Leonard's 3-pointer with 1:56 left. play was set up when Jackson saved a ball from going out of bounds on his end and tossed it all way over to Leonard in offensive end.Williams scored 36 points off bench for second-seeded Clippers, and Leonard had 32. Paul George finished with nine points as his struggles continued. He was 3 of 14 from field and is shooting 29% in series.

“If I make shots this series could be a little different,” George said. “That’s what it comes down to. Give m credit, y’re playing well. Luka’s playing phemenal.” Before game, Montrezl Harrell and Doncic exchanged a handshake and a hug as patched things up. y were each given a technical foul after getting tangled up and exchanging words in Game 3.“Sometimes you say things you don’t want to say," Doncic said. "He apologized. So problem.”

TIP-IN: Clippers: Ivica Zubac had 15 points. Clippers hit 29 of 32 free throws.Mavericks: A frustrated Doncic picked up a technical foul in first quarter. Burke finished with 25 points.Seth Curry finished with 15 points on his 30th birthday.

SEEN & HEARD

Although Clippers guard Patrick Beverley remains sidelined by a left calf injury, that doesn’t mean he’s t contributing.His involvement is loud.“Because he never shuts up,” Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers cracked. “He’s been great. He’s been really attentive in film.”Rivers had update on Beverley’s return to floor.

REMEMBERING KOBE

Rivers reflected on life of late Kobe Bryant, who would’ve been 42 on Sunday. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were killed in a helicopter crash in January.“He was a special guy. Obviously, a great player. It was such a sad thing,” Rivers said. “I don’t think we’ve all recovered from that yet.”

(Im Credit: AP)