LOS ANGELES – Where the trend is usually increased fatigue and low energy in the second game of a back-to-back, the Los Angeles Clippers instead recuperated for a staple win.
The Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night, 107-88, after suffering a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans just 24 hours prior.
It was the first win for Los Angeles with less than 10 steals, and it also advances them to an almost even 7-8 record.
Clippers capitalize in the paint
Los Angeles had a much stronger start compared to their loss to the Pelicans just the day before.
The Clippers dominated at the rim, collecting 20 points in the paint in the first quarter compared to Dallas’ two points. Collectively, Los Angeles finished the game outsourcing the Mavericks 54-32 in the paint. Over 50% of the Clippers’ points tonight came in the paint, which is their 2nd-highest % in paint this season, per Andrew Greif of the LA Times.
Terance Mann had his own fun at the rim as he went 4-6 from the field for eight points in just the first. Mann He went on to finish with a season-high 17 points while adding three rebounds with a steal and a block. The 14 field goal attempts by Mann on Saturday were the most he’s had since LA took on the Houston Rockets back in January this year.
The Mavericks were also outrebounded on the glass Saturday, 57-37. Fourteen of LA’s rebounds came from Ivica Zubac, with eight of those coming in just his first nine minutes.
Norman Powell’s on-point shooting
The night could not possibly get any better for Powell when it came to his shots. He went 4-4 in field goals, 3-3 in three-pointers and 4-4 in the free throw category.
By halftime, Powell outscored the Mavericks bench 12-10. By the final buzzer, he added 15 points to the Clippers’ victory in 25 minutes, and paired the performance with three rebounds and one assist.
Russell Westbrook turnaround
Where Mann had a strong start on Wednesday, Westbrook helped secure the win in the fourth with a solid finish.
Westbrook logged 14 minutes when he faced the Pelicans Friday, which is some of the lowest amount of minutes in a game for the point guard. In those 14 minutes he scored three points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Fast forward a day later and that tournament loss seemed to be just the motivation the Brodie needed. Westbrook scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to contribute to his 14-point performance on Saturday. He logged 25 minutes with eight rebounds and seven assists.
When asked about the main difference in his focus the last two games following Wednesday’s win, Westbrook told reporters, “I know when I’m doing that, nobody can match energy or anything that I’m doing.”
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Up next, the Clippers return to Crypto.com Arena Monday night to host defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. Then the team will head up north for a two-game road series against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles will first face the Kings on Wednesday before meeting the Warriors at the Chase Center on Thursday.
