INGLEWOOD, Calif. - - — The Clippers destroy the undermanned Dallas Mavericks 114-91 on Friday night. Los Angeles move to 45-32 and are in a wire-to-wire battle with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies for sixth place in the Western Conference, the final guaranteed postseason place. Their next game is tomorrow at home again against the Dallas Mavericks as they try to sweep the short two-game series.
Here are some takeaways from the Clippers win over the Mavericks:
Clips don’t play with their food
The Los Angeles Clippers took full advantage of a Mavericks team that was without their best player, Anthony Davis.
Davis like the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard isn’t playing back-to-backs and sat out the first of the two matchups in Los Angeles.
Los Angels pounced on the shorthanded Mavericks right away. They dominated the first half on both ends of the floor.
The first quarter Los Angeles outscored Dallas 29-16 and followed that up by winning the second period 29-19.
The 58-35 advantage was all the Clippers needed to take control of the game.
They never let up in the second half and walked away with an easy win.
Los Angeles need every win they can pickup to reach their goal of securing a top six seed in the Western Conference.
They have no time to play with their food and they didn’t do so tonight.
Zubac continues to anchor down low
The campaign for Ivica Zubac to be the NBA’s Defensive Player of the year is in full effect for the Los Angeles Clippers.
He has been playing at an All-NBA level throughout the years for the Clippers and he deserves all the love.
Tonight he recorded his 10th straight double-double to help Los Angeles pick up the blowout win.
Zubac scored 14 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes to help Los Angeles pick up a much needed win.
His stellar play has unlocked another piece for this Clippers team who can no play through James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and now Zubac.
He is a player that has earned the support and trust from his teammates. He gets his touches as he makes his stops and rebound the ball for them.
Zubac is fourth in the league in rebounds per game with 12.5.
Can the Clips make it two straight over Dallas?
The Clippers took care of business in their first of back-to-back matchups with the Mavericks.
They are back at it tomorrow night with this very same squad but most likely will have Davis and even big man Derek Lively III available in the game.
The Clippers had six players score in double figures tonight in the blowout but we all know every game is its own story.
With this blowout win, Los Angeles was able to rest its top guys and the third quarter and that should benefit them
Los Angeles has no margin for error the rest of the way so we will see tomorrow if they can keep their hot play up by defeating Dallas once again.