Pinto’s Preview: Clippers at Mavericks

The 10-14 Clippers are growing increasingly frustrated with developments on the court, coming off of their most disappointing defeat of the campaign Wednesday's 98-96 buzzer beating home loss to Toronto.

The Mavs sit 19-7, ripping off 19 wins in their last 22 games after an 0-4 start. They won a match-up of two injury depleted teams in Seatte Wednesday night 103-95 as they played the majority of the game without their leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki due to a severe ankle sprain suffered late in the first quarter, taking advantage of a Sonics squad that was missing Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis throughout most of the night due to injury. Dallas is listing Dirk as questionable for this game, but it would be shocking if he plays.

That leaves one to wonder how Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson will fill the void at power forward. He could start ex-Laker Devean George in place of Nowitzki at the '4' spot or possibly go small with high scoring reserve Jerry Stackhouse.

The questionable commodities for the Clippers injury wise are Tim Thomas (bruised left elbow) and Sam Cassell (left foot plantar fasciatis). L.A. has developed a staggering habit of lapsing at either or both ends of the floor at critical times in games during a stretch in which they've lost five in a row and six of seven.

The second quarter and end of the game served as the most recent examples two nights ago against the Raptors as the Clippers were outscored by nine points by Toronto on their floor in the second frame and then, up by two in the final minute of of the game failed to stop T.J. Ford defensively on back to back possessions while creating a late shot-clock air ball by Cuttino Mobley on their final offensive possession of the night.

The caliber of competition in this trip, even if Dallas is without Nowitzki tonight and Tracy McGrady continues to sit tomorrow night in Houston with back spasms, is considerable. L.A. will need to bring it's 'A' game in terms of effort and execution to avoid two more losses.

The Clippers handled Dallas in Los Angeles 103-85 November 8 at Staples Center thanks to an outstanding defensive effort in which they limited the explosive Mavs to 39% shooting, but that game seems as if it took place eons ago.

:: The Mavericks to break quickly from the gates in this game. Even if they're without their five time All-Star Nowitzki, expect Dallas to get off to a quick start in front of it's 208th consecutive sell-out crowd at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks are averaging 28ppg on 53% field goal shooting in the first quarter this season. The Clippers have been notoriously slow starting, having been outscored in 14 of the season's 24 opening quarters. As much as L.A. will make every effort to guard against a slow start in this game, it would appear, using history as a guide that an early deficit for the Clippers is virtually inevitable in this one.
:: The Chris Kaman-Erick Dampier center match-up to be key to this game's outcome. Dampier's coming off of a stellar 22 point, 16 rebound performance Wednesday in Seattle and could become a more significant factor in the Mavericks offensive approach if Nowitzki sits. Kaman continues to be all over the map in terms of effectiveness on the offensive end of the floor. While he delivered a strong 20 point, 11 rebound showing against Yao Ming and Houston Sunday, he made just 5-12 point blank shots scoring 10 points against the soft Toronto interior two nights ago. Dampier is a big strong physical force inside. One that Kaman must come to the arena ready to battle from the opening tip if the Clippers are to have success inside against the Mavericks.
:: The scoring of Los Angeles swing men to determine their fate offensively. Cuttino Mobley scored 28 points in the earlier encounter with Dallas this season, while Corey Maggette delivered a solid 12 point, 12 rebound double-double. The M and M combo must deliver tonight against a stout Dallas defense to take some of the heat off of Elton Brand to provide balance to the Clips offensive attack. If L.A.'s unable to get strong showings from this tandem from the perimeter it will allow the Mavs to sink into the lap of Brand with big double teams that will limit his effectiveness, with that the Clippers ability to stay in this game.
:: Sparks to fly in the battle of the boards. Both of these teams pride themselves in being among the league's elite rebounding squads. Both will attack the glass with ferocity tonight. Who's will will prevail to generate additional opportunities? That will be a key watch area of this match-up.

As the Clippers most recent setbacks to the Tracy McGrady-less Rockets and Chris Bosh-less Raptors on their home floor attest, Dallas minus Dirk Nowitzki this afternoon is no guarantee of L.A. success in this game. Los Angeles must battle to be very close at the end of the first quarter to deliver the message that it will be in this game throughout.

While the Mavericks have excelled in the first quarter of most games this season, they've struggled in the second when they've called upon reserves to sustain the tone set by starters. If L.A. can be within a few points of the lead at the end of one it will give itself a chance for road win number two.

The game plan for success in Dallas entails a strong rebounding effort by the Clippers as a team, managing a shooting percentage of over 46% as an outfit, and keeping the Mavs in the low 90's defensively. That's the formula, delivering the execution necessary to come through on all counts has been the major challenge.

Have the Clips bottomed out at 10-14 coming off of a home court loss to Toronto? We'll soon see. Dallas and Houston on back to back nights before the Christmas holiday will serve as a good gauge to answer that question.

Five Things to Know About the Dallas Mavericks

1. Dirk Nowitzki is tied with Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics and Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers for sixth place among active players who have played their entire NBA career for one team (8 seasons).

2. Jason Terry wears five pairs of socks during every game because of superstition. In one game during the NCAA tournament he did not wear his traditional five pairs and failed to score a single point.

3. Dirk Nowitzki is the godfather of close friend and former teammate Steve Nash's daughters.

4. Rapper Joe Budden mentioned Josh Howard's error in Game 5 of the 2006 NBA Finals in the remix of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy": "We dont think the same. I'm like Josh Howard, I need time out but it'll cost the game"

5. Jason Terry has the number "206" tattooed on his chest, which is the area code of the city in Seattle where he grew up.