Game Preview
The Dallas Mavericks (17-9) and Los Angeles Clippers (15-12) are set to clash on Thursday night in what promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams with contrasting recent form. The Mavericks have been on a tear, winning 8 of their last 10 games and averaging a blistering 124.9 points over that stretch. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, shooting just over 50 percent from the field and hovering around 43 percent from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, the Clippers have been more inconsistent, splitting their last 10 games at 5-5. Their scoring output has been a shade below 112 points during this period, and their shooting percentages have dipped to 48 percent from the floor and 38 percent from three-point range. However, the Clippers have been making up for it with their defensive intensity, averaging nearly 12 steals and just over 4 blocks per game in their last 10 outings.
One area where the Mavericks have a clear advantage is on the boards. They've been crashing the glass with authority, grabbing almost 50 rebounds per game over their last 5 contests. The Clippers, on the other hand, have been outrebounded during this stretch, averaging only 37 boards per game. Controlling the paint and second-chance opportunities could be a key factor in this matchup.
While both teams have been taking care of the ball reasonably well, the Mavericks have been slightly more turnover-prone, coughing up the rock over 18 times per game in their last 5 outings. The Clippers' pesky defense could capitalize on any lapses in ball security from the Mavericks.
As the season progresses, these two Western Conference foes will be jockeying for playoff positioning, making this early-season clash even more crucial. With the red-hot Mavericks riding a wave of offensive brilliance and the gritty Clippers relying on their defensive tenacity, this matchup has all the makings of a hard-fought battle that could come down to the wire.