Mavericks Bounce Back from Thursday’s Defeat, Triumph Over Clippers 113-97

The Dallas Mavericks faced the Clippers at home for the second consecutive game on Saturday, aiming to bounce back from Thursday’s 118-95 defeat.

With Luka Doncic still sidelined, the Mavericks started Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Dereck Lively II. The Clippers’ lineup included James Harden, Kris Dunn, Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., and Ivica Zubac. Both teams had a slow offensive start, shooting below 50% from the floor. The Mavericks initially led 13-8 after a three-pointer by Naji Marshall. Dallas also improved their defense against Ivica Zubac, who missed three of his first four shots, matching his total misses from Thursday’s game within the first six minutes.

The Clippers briefly led 20-18 after a three-pointer by James Harden, but Dallas outscored them 5-2 in the final 1:30 of the first quarter to lead 23-22, with Naji Marshall contributing seven points off the bench. Despite Kyrie Irving’s 1/7 shooting in the first quarter, Dallas started the second quarter with a 9-3 run, capped by a reverse layup from Klay Thompson, prompting a timeout from Ty Lue. After a period of slow offense, Quentin Grimes’ driving finger roll extended the Mavericks’ lead to 39-30, and a hook shot by Daniel Gafford pushed it to 11 points.

The lead remained around 11 points for the rest of the quarter, with back-to-back second-chance three-pointers from Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson giving Dallas a 54-40 halftime lead. Ivica Zubac’s seven straight points in the middle of the third quarter brought the Clippers within seven, and free throws by Norman Powell reduced the deficit to five. However, a three-pointer by Naji Marshall and six consecutive points by Daniel Gafford rebuilt the double-digit lead for Dallas. The Clippers continued to fight back, but a Naji Marshall steal and slam extended the lead to 11. James Harden’s three-pointer at the end of the third quarter cut Dallas’ lead to 74-66 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter saw a surge in offense, with both teams combining for 22 points in the first three minutes. Quentin Grimes scored 14 points in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, helping Dallas build a 15-point lead. Norman Powell’s personal 8-2 run cut the lead to under 10, but Kyrie Irving’s pass to a wide-open Klay Thompson for a three-pointer ended the run. With two minutes remaining, Klay Thompson’s steal and assist to PJ Washington for a slam extended the lead to 12, effectively sealing the game.

The Mavericks won 113-97, improving their record to 18-10.

Quentin Grimes led the Mavericks with 20 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter. Seven other Mavericks scored in double figures: Klay Thompson (16 points, 6/9 shooting, 4 steals), Kyrie Irving (15 points, 6 assists), Spencer Dinwiddie (15 points), Daniel Gafford (13 points, 6 rebounds), Naji Marshall (12 points), and Dereck Lively II (11 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists). Despite shooting 45.5% from the floor, Dallas held the Clippers to 42% shooting and 27% from three-point range, forcing 17 turnovers.

Norman Powell led the Clippers with 28 points on 22 shots. James Harden (19 points, 8 rebounds), Kevin Porter Jr. (19 points), and Ivica Zubac (13 points, 15 rebounds) also scored in double figures.

Dallas will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.