NBA playoffs: Clippers thrash Mavericks to lead series

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – The Los Angeles Clippers hammered the Dallas Mavericks 154-111 in Tuesday's game in the NBA Western Conference first round to lead the series 3-2.

The Clippers stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard had major contributions to the large victory in the game five.

George scored 35 points and Leonard had 32 points for the Clippers.

For the Mavericks, Slovenian star Luka Doncic tallied 22 points. Meanwhile Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 19 points.

So the Clippers need one win to be in the West semis.

- Giannis named defensive player of year

The Milwaukee Bucks' Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo won the 2019-20 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, the NBA said on Tuesday.

In the voting, Antetokounmpo beat the Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis and the Utah Jazz's French center Rudy Gobert to bag the prize.

The NBA's 2018-19 regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP), 25-year-old Antetokounmpo won his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Antetokounmpo averaged 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the games played through March 11, when the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Giannis-led Bucks completed the Eastern Conference as the leaders with 56-17 win/loss record.

- Raptors' Nurse becomes coach of year

Separately Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse won the 2019-20 NBA Coach of the Year award last weekend.

The Raptors are now in the 2020 NBA playoff semifinals in the Eastern Conference as they will face the Boston Celtics in this round.

The only Canadian team in the NBA, the Raptors swept the Brooklyn Nets 4-0 in the playoffs' first round.

- Tuesday's results:

Denver Nuggets - Utah Jazz: 117-107 (Jazz lead series 3-2)

Los Angeles Clippers - Dallas Mavericks: 154-111 (Clippers lead series 3-2)