LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (27-29) at MAVERICKS (32-23)
Time: 7:30 p.m., Thursday.
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas.
TV: Bally’s Sports Southwest, ESPN
Radio: The Eagle 97.1 FM; Univision Zona MX 99.1 FM (Spanish)
About the Clippers: Like their crosstown rival Lakers, the Clippers would be in the play-in tournament if the playoffs were to start today. Few teams have been ravaged by injuries more than they have. Kawhi Leonard (ACL) has been out all season and is a long shot to return. Paul George (elbow) has been inactive since before Christmas . . . Without their two best players, they have understandably struggled. They have gone 11-17 since George began having his problems. And they are coming off losses by 24 points at home to Milwaukee and by 26 points on Tuesday at Memphis. In that loss to the Grizzlies, the Clippers gave up 104 points through three quarters, at which point they trailed by 30 . . . In their defense, they were playing just their second game with Norman Powell and Robert Covington. The Clippers traded for them last week, giving up Justise Winslow, Eric Bledsoe and Keon Johnson . . . Their biggest problems are on offense. They shoot just 45 percent, and their overall offensive rating is 26th in the league. They also are a poor rebounding team, averaging four fewer boards per game than their opponent . . . In the absence of George, Reggie Jackson has tried to pick up the scoring slack (16.5 points per game) which is six points better than he averaged last season . . . In their first two games since the trade, Powell averaged 22 points and Covington averaged 13.5 points and 5 rebounds.
About the Mavericks: After a misstep to start this six-game home stand, they have rattled off three consecutive wins to reach nine games above .500 for the first time this season. They close out the run at home with games against the Clippers tonight and Saturday. Around Thanksgiving, the Mavericks and Clippers split a pair of games in LA. This set will complete the season series . . . Luka Dončić missed the loss in LA but returned in the second meeting with 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Mavericks took a 112-104 overtime victory . . . Dončić has been sensational of late, even by his lofty standards. He’s had seven triple-doubles in the last 16 games. He’s had 10 or more assists in seven consecutive games, the longest such streak of his career. If he reaches 10 tonight, he’ll tie Jason Kidd for longest stretch of games with double-digit helpers. During this torrid 16-game blitz, Luka has averaged 27.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists . . . The Mavericks will continue to be without Kristaps Porzingis as he recovers from a right knee bone bruise. Sterling Brown, who has been out nearly three weeks, is now listed as questionable with his left foot soreness . . . The Mavericks have had all five starters score in double figures in each of the last three games. That’s the first time that’s happened since February, 2005. During this spread, Reggie Bullock has scored 20, 22 and 12. Dorian Finney-Smith 13, 11 and 11. Jalen Brunson 19, 22 and 21. Dwight Powell 14, 12 and 10. And Luka has scored 33, 18 and 33.
Twitter: @ESefko
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