By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
There is some history coming with the Dallas Mavericks bumping into the Los Angeles Clippers for the second straight time in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The rivalry between Luka Doncic and Marcus Morris Sr. was a product of the series between the two teams in the 2020 postseason. Morris, assigned to contain the Slovenian sensation, stepped on his injured left ankle in Game 5 and was ejected for a flagrant foul on Doncic in the series-ending Game 6. His side advanced to the next round.
“He’s a hell of a player, hell of a defender,” said Doncic previewing the playoff reunion, per Callie Caplan of Dallas Morning News, “Trash talk is always there, and if it’s not, you’re not really competing. It’s going to be great.”
According to two-time NBA All-Star, Morris apologized to him earlier in the 2020-21 Regular Season for stepping on his injured ankle.
The Mavericks finishing fifth in the Western Conference got them the fourth-seed Clippers. The 2020 meeting in the Orlando bubble had the Mavs from the seventh seed against the second seed.
Doncic put up 27.7 points, 8.6 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per contest in his third NBA Regular Season.
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