LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Dallas Mavericks 126-111 Thursday night in a possible playoff preview.
Paul George scored 24 points and Ivica Zubac added 21 points on 10-for-10 shots and 15 rebounds for the Clippers, which strengthened their hold on spot # 1. 2 in the Western Conference rankings.
The Clippers entered the night only halfway through the game before Denver, but they shot 54% against the Mavericks to improve to 2-2 in the second half.
Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points and Luka Doncic added 29 for Dallas, who dropped to 1/3 in the second half. Dallas will likely end up as seed No. 7, making a first round bout with the Clippers a strong possibility.
“This is obviously going to be a tough match,” Porzingis said. “They are one of the favorites to win everything. They have more guys who have already been there. But we can’t wait to face the challenge and gain experience.”
Doncic was coming out of a monstrous game – 34 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. He made 10 of 21 shots against the Clippers, including 6 of 13 3-point shots.
“Luka is only a handful,” said Clippers coach Doc Rivers. “It takes a whole team to protect him. I thought our guys did a good job overall. We’ve lost him a couple of times, which you can never do. So there’s a lot of room for improvement.”
The Clippers led Dallas by 12 in the third quarter before the Mavericks got up and tied the game at 101 in the middle of the quarter. Los Angeles responded with a 9-0 to regain control. The Clippers shot 62% in the fourth quarter to break away.
“I liked how we played overall,” Rivers said. “We played as a team tonight, on both sides.”
Even though the Mavericks dropped to 1/3 in the second half, Doncic remained confident.
“We are a great team,” he said. “We always have a chance, no matter what. I think some people consider us out, but we’re not out. We’ll give it our all.”
TIP-INS
Clippers: Patrick Beverley came out with a strain in his left calf. He was injured against Phoenix on Tuesday. … Outrebounded the Mavericks 45-37. … Marcus Morris had 16 points out of 5 for 7 takes.
Mavericks: Seth Curry missed his second straight game with a right leg injury. … Made in 17 of 48 3 points.
REINFORCEMENT
The Clippers said Zubac has set a franchise record for most field goals scored without fail. The 7-foot 1 center equalized Charles Smith’s set goal against Denver in April 1992.
“I kept doing my job of rolling and sealing the paint, and my teammates kept finding me,” he said. “They had faith in me. I got some easy offensive rebounds, kickbacks. It was nice.”
The Clippers also said Zubac became the first player in franchise history to have at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in less than 25 minutes played. He recorded the season’s highs in points and rebounds in just over 24 minutes.
quotable
Porzingis, talking about recovery from layoff and knee injury: “I still feel like I’m only 75, 80% behind the pace of the game and the feeling for all those little details and stuff. I’m on my way.”
STATISTICAL LINES
The Mavericks concede 126.5 points per game in the second half and have conceded at least 110 points in all four games.
NEXT
Clippers: Play the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
Mavericks: Play Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
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