Clippers at Mavericks
THE STORY: The Dallas Mavericks’ early season feel-good story has all but evaporated since the Mavericks have slumped down the stretch. All the fans see now is the club that could possibly exit in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years despite a lofty seeding. The Mavericks, once a lock for the No. 2 seed in the West, will be looking over their shoulders at fourth-seeded Oklahoma City the last week of the season, which begins Friday at home when Dallas shoots for a 10th straight against the Los Angles Clippers.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSSW
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (53-25): Dallas started the season 24-5 and after a brief skid due to injuries to Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler, won 18 of 19 to improve to 45-16, giving its fans reason to believe this club could go deep into the postseason. But the Mavs have gone just 8-9 since and have last four straight after Wednesday’s 104-96 loss to Denver, which outscored Dallas 10-2 down he stretch. Shawn Marion led Dallas with 21 points as Jason Kidd rested the entire game after playing all 77 games this season, and center Tyson Chandler sat with a back injury. Dallas now sits two games back of the Los Angeles Lakers and just one game ahead of the Thunder with four to play. Dallas closes with Phoenix, Houston and New Orleans.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (31-48): Despite 35 points and 11 rebounds from Blake Griffin, the Clippers dropped a 112-108 decision to the Thunder on Wednesday. The Clippers outshot the Thunder 56.4 percent to 40.4 percent in the first half and Griffin scored 20 points, but the Clippers trailed 58-53 on the strength of nine offensive rebounds by Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins and 12 forced turnovers. After this one, the Clippers visit Houston before closing at Staples against Memphis.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Marion has led the Mavs in scoring the last three games, averaging 20.3 points. Dallas ranks 28th in the league with 9.4 offensive rebounds per game. Nowitzki hasn’t had an offensive rebound in the last three games and has just 47 in 69 games this season. Griffin is closing strong, averaging 24.5 points on 53.1-percent shooting and 12.0 rebounds in his last 10 games.
KEY STATISTIC: The Mavericks have lost nine straight against likely Western Conference playoff teams, dating to a 109-100 victory against the Lakers on Jan. 19 in Dallas.
SEASON SERIES: The Mavericks are seeking a four-game sweep against the Clippers and have won 15 of the last 16, including eight straight here. Nowitzki is averaging 20 points in the season series, Jose Barea 17.3 and Jason Terry 16.3. Griffin has averaged 21 points and 12.3 rebounds for the Clips.
KEY INJURIES: LOS ANGELES: C Chris Kaman (knee); F Ryan Gomes (knee). DALLAS: F Caron Butler (right knee); C Tyson Chandler (back); G Dominique Jones (foot).
LAST WORD: "I don't think it does any good to watch (the standings) now. We've got to start playing better and feel good about ourselves going into the playoffs." – Nowitzki on the playoffs.