"It was 90s basketball at its best."
Coach Jason Kidd is embracing the physicality and the defense the Dallas Mavericks were delivering, as they tied the Western Conference first round playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at 1-1.
The Mavs won, 96-93, in Game 2. Both teams were under 100 points.
"That shows we're playing defense at a high level," Kidd said after the game. "Ever since March, we can see there was a shift in officiating. Physicality stepped up and so we embraced it. That's who we are... we're not afraid of the physicality."
Kyrie Irving, who scored 23 points, while making six rebounds, three assists, and three steals, said it was just the nature of the playoffs.
"If you rewatch 80s, 90s, early 2000s basketball, you can see the games slow down. You just gotta be ready for the unknown," he said.
[ALSO READ: Doncic, Mavs spoil Kawhi’s return, turn back Clippers to tie series at 1-1]
Kidd also credited PJ Washington for locking down on defense.
"He's been big for us since we got him in the trade. We really rely on him for defense, to guard those guys in the Clippers. Seems he's guarding everyone," the tactician said.
By the end of the third quarter, Doncic was whistled for a technical foul. And that got him emotional.
"It wasn't a tech for sure," Doncic chimed during the postgame press conference.
why did Luka Doncic receive a technical foul. pic.twitter.com/vSfUaZLSpq
— FastBreakPhenom (@FastBreakPhenom) April 24, 2024
Kidd though, seemingly kidded about it.
"I think getting a T, it's been a long time since he's gotten a T. I think he was trying to see if he can get a T," he said, prompting laughs from the media. "We all know how he knows how to get a T."
"A lot of times, he'd turn it into a positive, turns his game into another level. A lot of time, he has used it to get himself going," Kidd added.
The Mavericks did run in the fourth quarter, going 14-0 to essentially get back into the fight.
This Mavericks 14-0 run in the 4th quarter was special.
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) April 24, 2024
S/O @Coopz___ pic.twitter.com/n4n9f9x3Wo
Doncic's emotional push did help, if Irving were to say anything.
"I've learned you gotta trust him. Gotta let him be him, allow him to grow," Irving said of Doncic. "When he's emotional, he's honest and I appreciate that. I'd rather be out there with someone that's emotional, who wants to do better, than someone quiet or just allows things to happen."
Game 3 takes place on Saturday, April 27, Philippine time.
[ALSO READ: Philippine schedule for the NBA Playoffs]
