PREVIEW
CLIPPERS (30-13) AT MAVS (27-15)
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: FSSW, NBA TV
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM; Univision 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: The good news is that forward Kristaps Porzingis is expected to play tonight after missing the last 10 games with either right knee soreness and/or an illness. The Mavs were 6-4 while Porzingis was sidelined. . .This is the finale of a brief two-game home stand before the Mavs open a three-game road trip Thursday in Portland against the Trail Blazers. The road trip includes a Saturday game in Utah and a Monday game in Oklahoma City before the Mavs return home to host Phoenix on Jan. 28. . .The Mavs are 13-10 at home and riding a four-game winning streak after defeating the Trail Blazers in Dallas Friday, 120-112. Luka Doncic was the ringleader in that game with 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 34 minutes, and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 29 points in 32 minutes. . .The most games the Mavs have won in a row this season is five. And that has happened twice – from Nov. 16-24 and from Nov. 29-Dec. 7. . .The Clippers defeated the Mavs, 114-99, in Dallas, on Nov. 26. It’s one of only two times this season the Mavs have been held under 100 points. . .The Mavs are 93-64 all-time against the Clippers, including 55-24 in Dallas.
About the Clippers: They have won three in a row, all against sub-.500 teams, and averaged 127.7 points in those three victories. . .After giving up a whopping 80 points to New Orleans in the first half on Saturday – and allowing 110 points through three quarters – the Clippers finally started playing defense while holding the Pelicans to just 20 points in the fourth quarter and emerging with a 133-130 victory on the road. Kawhi Leonard (39 points), Lou Williams (32 points) and Montrezl Harrell (24 points) led the Clippers in that game. . .Perennial All-Star Paul George will miss his sixth straight game tonight with a strained left hamstring. . .One of the favorites to win this season’s NBA title, the Clippers are 11-9 on the road. . .This is the second of a six-game road trip for the Clippers, who play in Atlanta on Wednesday. The Clippers are 4-4 on the front end of a back-to-back. . .Leonard, who is averaging 36 ppg over the last five games, has overall averages of 26.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 5.1 apg and 2.0 spg. Also for the Clippers, George is averaging 23.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg, Williams averages 20 ppg, and Harrell is averaging 19.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg. . .Leonard (28 points, eight rebounds, 28 minutes) George (26 points, six steals, 29 minutes) and Williams (21 points, six rebounds, six assists) led the Clippers in their 15-point win over the Mavs earlier this season.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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