"Dallas to Cancun" - Controversial billboard outside Crypto.com Arena backfired on the Clippers as they get mauled by the Mavs

Heading to Game 5 of the Clippers vs Mavericks series on Tuesday night, the big story around Los Angeles was a huge billboard outside Crypto.com Arena that read "Dallas to Cancun."

The billboard was purportedly to troll the Mavericks , who entered Game 5 in a 2-2 tie with the Clippers in their Best-of-seven first-round playoff series. Hours before game time, the LA team issued a statement denying their involvement in putting up the billboard.

It was reported that the billboard would be taken down before the game. However, whether the Mavs saw that on their way to the stadium did not matter because they came to Game 5 with a purpose and did what they were supposed to do.

On the other hand, the travel agency that put up the billboard probably regrets putting it up because it has backfired on the home team. That's because the words on the billboard could be what happens to the Clippers next if they lose Game 6.

1,2,3 Cancun

While it's true that travelers can find cheap 'Dallas to Cancun' flights on the Skyscanner website, the billboard was an obvious diss directed at the visiting team. Cancun has become synonymous with NBA playoff elimination ever since Nick Van Exel blurted the '1-2-3-Cancun' joke that led to his expulsion from Hollywood.

With the Los Angeles Lakers down 0-3 against the Utah Jazz in the 1998 Western Conference Finals, Van Exel ridiculously shouted '1,2,3 Cancun' instead of '1,2,3 Lakers' during the team huddle in the back hallway before running out for Game 4. That expression left a sour taste in GM Jerry West's mouth, and he ended up trading Van Exel after that season.

Since then, 'going to Cancun' has been an annual phrase given to NBA teams that have been eliminated in the NBA playoffs. However, the Mavericks don't have plans to take their vacation yet.

Biggest loss in L.A. Clippers history

With the series tied at 2-2, the Mavericks came to Crypto.com Arena and delivered the worst beating in L.A. Clippers playoff history. Luka Doncic scored 35 points with 10 assists and 7 rebounds to lead the Mavs to a 123-93 win and take a crucial 3-2 series lead.

Bothered by an injured knee and dealing with symptoms of an undisclosed illness, Doncic scored 14 third-quarter points as the Mavs blew the game wide open. Dallas' other star, Kyrie Irving, struggled with his shot but finished with 14 points and 6 assists while being a +35 in plus/minus on the court.

Game 6 will be on Friday night in Dallas. Teams with a 3-2 series lead have gone on to move forward 84.0% of the time, with 195 out of 288 teams (68%) having gone on to close the series in Game 6. Should the Mavs win again, then 'Dallas to Cancun' will be the Clippers' route, as a loss will send them on an early vacation.

Related: "I don't think he's nearly as impactful as the other three guys" - Bill Simmons thinks Luka Doncic looked like the fourth-best guy in the game against the Clippers