Mavericks at Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers began a back-to-back with a lopsided loss on the road against one of the top teams in the Western Conference. They will try to bounce back in the second half of the back-to-back at home Monday night when they face one of the conference's lesser squads in the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles shot 34.5 percent from the field and received just 38 points from its starters in a 123-96 setback at Denver on Sunday. "I didn't think we played very well," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told the media. "I would love to say it was our shots missed. I thought they were the tougher team, the more physical team, they got most of the loose balls, they beat us down the floor." The Mavericks have dropped four straight, all by at least 10 points. Star rookie Luka Doncic (ankle) missed his second straight game Saturday at Utah and is questionable to return for this one.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Southwest (Dallas), FS Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (26-33): Future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki made his first start of the season for Dallas in the 125-109 loss at Utah on Saturday. "That's what I've been doing for two decades," Nowitzki told reporters after scoring a season-high 15 points in 25 minutes. "It wasn't that new. It's a little easier to get into the game when you start. You have a rhythm right away. It's a lot easier than coming off the bench." The 40-year-old needs 92 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain and move into sixth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (33-28): Los Angeles was a woeful 3-of-21 from 3-point range in Sunday's loss, missing its first 14 attempts. Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the biggest culprit in the cold-shooting effort with an 0-for-9 showing, including three misses from beyond the arc. Lou Williams led the way with 24 points off the bench and he's averaging 29.3 points over his last four games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Mavericks SG Tim Hardaway Jr. has scored at least 20 points in three of his last five games.
2. Clippers PG Patrick Beverley is averaging 3.3 points in 27.8 minutes over a four-game stretch.
3. Los Angeles has won four straight meetings at home.