Preview: Clippers (17-8) at Mavericks (17-11)

Earl K. Sneed previews the Dallas Mavericks' Monday night matchup against All-Stars Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers as the defending champs try to extend a three-game winning streak.

DALLAS — Since entering the NBA, reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin has terrorized opposing teams with his above-the-rim plays and highlight reel dunks. But that’s not what the Dallas Mavericks remember most about their 91-89 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers back on Jan. 18.

Before the Clippers lost guard Chauncey Billups to a season-ending torn Achilles, the sharpshooter downed the Mavericks to a third loss on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the month of January and ended a 10-game losing streak to Dallas. It was also the second of its kind in L.A. for the Mavericks (17-11), who fell two nights before in a similar fashion to the Lakers on Derek Fisher’s clutch three.

But with Billups now on the mend, the Mavs can turn their attention to Griffin and his All-Star new addition at point guard, Chris Paul, when the reigning champs welcome the Clippers (17-8) to Dallas while seeking retribution. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will try to build off three consecutive wins entering Monday night’s showdown, taking the American Airlines Center floor two nights after a double-overtime 97-94 home victory over Portland.

And with the defending champs hoping to execute better in clutch situations, as was the case Saturday night, they’ll also try to continue a streak of nine straight home wins over the Clippers since April of 2006.

“We’re used to close ballgames and being a veteran team doing what we have to do to get a win,” reserve guard Jason Terry said after Saturday night’s win.

“We’ve still got a long ways to go,” All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki added. “[The Clippers] beat us there a couple of weeks ago on a last-second shot. They’re obviously very athletic and they’re led by one of the best point guards in this league. [Paul] can score, he can pass, he can hurt you a lot of ways. So, another tough test, but we want to get back to protecting our home court.”

Paul sat out the first meeting due to an ailing left hamstring injury. Without his lead guard, Griffin struggled but still managed to record a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds, hitting just 6-of-15 from the field in the process. Still, even with Paul’s ability to take over a game from the point position, Nowitzki says the key to stopping the Clippers lies in containing Griffin a second time.

“[Griffin] is very explosive and he’s always looking to attack and go both ways. He’s the future of the league and he’s fun to watch. I actually thought we did a decent job (in the first game). We didn’t give them a lot of lobs and we ran with them in transition. We tried to stay between him and the basket. I thought our bigs did a good job,” Nowitzki said.

Nowitzki and his teammates will also try to once again slow down ex-Maverick Caron Butler in his return to Dallas.

Butler hasn’t been hampered at all since returning from a ruptured patellar tendon suffered midseason before the Mavs battled to the title without him. Starting all 23 of the games he’s played in, Butler has averaged 14.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists. However, the two-time All-Star finished 1-of-12 from the field for just two points against his former team the last go-round.

The Mavericks would like nothing more than to replicate that while trying to collect a win on their home floor, presenting Butler with his championship ring before the game and then turning their attention to avenging their last-second loss.

“Getting the championship ring reminds me of what a great experience it was being a part of the Maverick organization,” Butler recently said. “I am honored that even though I’m no longer a part of the team, they are doing this for me in front of the fans all of who were such a great part of my experience in Dallas. I always felt the love and very much appreciate this, too.”

He added: “I will always have very fond memories of my time in Dallas. Playing with guys like Dirk, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd and being a part of that team in that moment was fantastic. Something none of us will ever forget.”

Note: The Mavs return to action when they host All-Stars Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers at the American Airlines Center Monday night. The Clippers lead the season series after a 91-89 win in L.A. on Jan. 18. The game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.

Single-game tickets are on sale and available at the American Airlines Center North Box Office, online at mavs.com, via phone by calling 214-747-MAVS or 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets (Fiesta Grocery Stores, Wal-Mart, Simon Mall in Garland and the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano).

Dr. Pepper Family Nights are here! Plans include four Mavs tickets and four McDonald’s extra value meals, starting at $49. Visit mavs.com or call 214-747-MAVS for a schedule of games and to purchase tickets.