Shootaround report: Mavs focus on limiting Clippers' highlight finishes

Earl K. Sneed reports from the Dallas Mavericks' Wednesday shootaround as the team tries to take down the NBA-best Los Angeles Clippers in a nationally-televised matchup.

Shootaround report: Mavericks (13-22) at Clippers (27-8)
Mavs focus on limiting Clippers' highlight finishes

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — If overtime road losses to the last two teams left standing in the NBA Finals last season — the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat — proved anything to the Dallas Mavericks recently, it’s that they can compete away from home against the league’s elite squads.

Wednesday night, however, they will have to elevate their collective games even more so while squaring off against the team with the league’s best record, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Looking to avenge a 112-90 road defeat to the Clippers (27-8) on Dec. 5, the Mavericks (13-22) will try to take their “A” game into the Staples Center. But against the high-octane L.A. team, the Mavs know the task at hand will be unlike one they’ve recently seen while trying to bring a three-game losing streak to an end.

“Well, we’ve been playing better in recent weeks and that’s something we’ve got to continue to build on,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s absolutely essential that you bring your game to a higher level against these better teams, otherwise it’s going to be a long night and our guys know that. So we’ve got to continue to bring a high-level game, but really the ball security and the rebounding and the transition defense are the three big things.”

“I think we’re talented enough to play with any team in this league. Now, it’s just about us closing out games,” point guard Darren Collison added.

Facing the likes of All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, as well as a deep bench led by Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner Jamal Crawford, the Mavericks will try to limit the Clippers’ highlight reel plays. In order to do so, however, Carlisle admits that the Mavs must first keep their own miscues to a minimum, hoping to cut down on turnovers that might lead to explosive finishes at the other end.

And if they’re able to do just that, according to Carlisle, the Mavs will be in a great position to steal away a game on the top team in the league’s home floor.

“The way they’ve played the last seven or eight weeks, they’ve shown that they’re the best team in basketball,” Carlisle said of the Clippers. “In all areas they’re beyond solid, they’re dynamic. And so we’re going to have to play very smart and very tough. We’re going to have to take care of the ball, rebound and do everything well.”

Note: The Mavericks will continue their road trip Wednesday night in Los Angeles for a second meeting against the Clippers. The game will air locally at 9:30 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Southwest and nationally on ESPN.