Final: Clippers 98, Mavs 91
Box Score | Highlights
Behind the Box Score
After turning it over seven times in the first quarter, the Mavs did so only twice in the second frame. That increase in ball security allowed the Mavs to work work longer into the shot clock to find good shots, and the team scored 1.083 points per possession in the frame as a result, despite shooting only 42.1 percent. The league average usually hovers around 1.02, so anything above that is a solid mark. In the first quarter, when the Mavs turned it over seven times, that mark was only 0.875 PPP.
DeAndre Jordan missed 13 of his first 14 free throws, which adds up to about 0.142 points per possession. Dallas went to the “Hack-A” strategy in the third quarter until Jordan finally connected on back-to-back attempts. He finished the game 6 of 23 from the charity stripe.
Notebook
Between this loss and the Rockets’ win at home to the Lakers, the Mavs did not clinch a playoff spot today. The team’s magic number remains 1. If Dallas wins tomorrow night in Utah, the Mavericks will guarantee no lower than the seventh seed in the postseason. The postseason odds remain in the Mavs’ favor, but the fragility of the entire situation — for all teams placed between seventh and ninth, and even including sixth-seeded Memphis — lets you know how intense tomorrow night’s game will be. It’s obviously a huge one for both clubs. Who’s an extra bit of drama gonna hurt this time of year?
Deron Williams returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous eight games with an abdominal strain. J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton started in his stead, but unfortunately Barea suffered a groin strain in Friday’s win against Memphis, so the Puerto Rican was unavailable today. The good news, however, is Barea could possibly play tomorrow against Utah. Williams, meanwhile, appeared to move well in his first game back to action, so that was good to see. The Mavericks will need as many healthy players as possible for the back-to-back tomorrow, and also for Wednesday’s showdown with the Spurs.
There were all sorts of strange cross-matches in this game. Given the nature of Williams’ status, Rick Carlisle avoided putting him on point guard Chris Paul to minimize the strain. Wesley Matthews was used to guard Paul instead, after having some success defending him the last time these two teams met. Justin Anderson, meanwhile, defended J.J. Redick to start the game, one of the more demanding perimeter assignments in the league due to Redick’s constant movement, his use of off-ball screens, and his lightning-quick release. Dirk Nowitzki defended center DeAndre Jordan, while Zaza Pachulia drew power forward Blake Griffin. In other words, no Mavs starter was defending his position. Carlisle will try anything if it gives his team a better chance to win.
What’s Next
The Mavs (41-39) play the Utah Jazz (39-40) Monday at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. Central.
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