Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024
Preview and Prediction
Facing off in Dallas for the second time in three days, the visiting Los Angeles Clippers will aim to secure a two-game sweep of the Mavericks on Saturday.
The Western Conference rivals clashed on Thursday for the first time since last year's playoffs, when the Mavericks defeated the Clippers in six games. Seeking retribution, Los Angeles dominated the second half on Thursday, ultimately winning 118-95.
The Clippers, now trailing the Mavericks by 1 1/2 games for the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, capitalized on the absences of Mavericks stars Luka Doncic (heel bruise) and Kyrie Irving (shoulder). Los Angeles' top three scorers this season, Norman Powell (23.7 points per game), James Harden (22.2), and Ivica Zubac (15.1), combined for a total of 74 points, with Powell leading the way with 29.
See also:
"Cavaliers Dominate Cup Champions Bucks in NBA Recap"
See also:
Phoenix's Star Player Devin Booker (groin injury) Will Not Play Against Detroit
Powell, who is in contention for his first career All-Star selection, has achieved career highs in both scoring average and 3-point shooting percentage (48.5%), while also maintaining a 50.3% field goal percentage.
The trio's contributions have helped the Clippers secure two consecutive wins and 10 victories in their last 15 games.
"We work well together on the court," Powell remarked about his teammates. "Zubac is a dominant force in the paint, while James is a versatile scorer who can shoot and distribute the ball. As for me, I try to capitalize on opportunities to score from beyond the arc. When all three of us are performing at our best, it's difficult for opponents to defend against us."
The Clippers are eagerly awaiting the return of Kawhi Leonard, who has yet to make his season debut due to a lingering right knee injury. Head coach Tyronn Lue recently announced that Leonard will not play during the Clippers' current three-game road trip, but his return may be imminent.
The short-handed Mavericks, who had not played in four days, were led by Klay Thompson's 22 points in Thursday's loss, but struggled with a 39.5% field goal percentage and a 23.3% 3-point percentage (7-for-30).
Despite playing without their top two players in their first home game in 16 days, the Mavericks are not making any excuses ahead of Saturday's rematch.
"They were simply the better team," Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd admitted after Thursday's game. "We couldn't get any stops in the third quarter, and we couldn't make any shots. There's no excuse for our performance, especially since we haven't been traveling. We'll field the players who are able to play. The guys in the locker room gave it their all, but we just came up short."
See also:
"Calf Injury Sidelines Trail Blazers' Star Guard Damian Lillard in Matchup Against Cavaliers"
See also:
"Grizzlies Dominate Warriors with 51-Point Defeat in NBA Recap"
Doncic, who ranks fifth in the league with 28.9 points per game, has been ruled out for Saturday's game. Irving, who averages 23.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, has been removed from the injury report and is expected to return.
Irving's last appearance was on Sunday, when he scored 21 points and dished out eight assists against the Golden State Warriors.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Recap DEC 21TH 2024
Norman Powell scored 29 points, Ivica Zubac posted a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the visiting Los Angeles Clippers raced past the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 118-95 on Thursday night.
Los Angeles, playing the first of two straight games in Dallas, broke a stalemate that lasted much of the first half with a 22-6 run late in the third quarter.
The surge gave the Clippers a lead they never relinquished. The Mavericks, playing without Luka Doncic (heel injury) and Kyrie Irving (shoulder soreness), rallied early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to eight points.
However, Los Angeles responded with runs of 9-2 and 11-0. The latter, lasting more than five minutes, closed out the game.
The Clippers defense held Dallas to 34-of-86 shooting from the floor (39.5 percent), including 7 of 30 from 3-point range (23.3 percent). Los Angeles also capitalized on takeaways with an 18-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
A key difference was offensive execution. Los Angeles shot 44 of 85 from the field (51.8 percent) and 14 of 33 from deep (42.4 percent).
Powell's 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range led the Clippers, while James Harden, Kevin Porter Jr., Amir Coffey and Derrick Jones Jr. each knocked down two 3-pointers.
Harden finished with 24 points and five rebounds to go with his team-high seven assists. Thirty of the Clippers' 44 made field goals were assisted, including six assists from Kris Dunn and five each from Powell and Zubac.
Porter scored 12 points in his reserve duty for Los Angeles. With 16 points, Coffey scored as many points as the entire Dallas bench combined.
Klay Thompson led the short-handed Mavericks with 22 points. Spencer Dinwiddie scored 19 points and dished seven assists to match Harden. P.J. Washington added 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss, which opened a four-game homestand for Dallas.
The same teams meet again on Saturday.