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Clippers Looking to Recover Against Mavericks

By Ethan Smith

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 11: Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 11, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 11: Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 11, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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After a forgettable performance against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the LA Clippers return home for the first time following the All-Star Break to take on the Dallas Mavericks.

The LA Clippers have not played in the confines of the Staples Center since their February 13 victory over the Phoenix Suns. After one of their more forgettable performances in a 134-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the Clippers return to Staples Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks.

The last time these two teams met was back on January 22, with the Mavericks pulling out victorious 106-98. Then Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan scored 13 points and snagged 16 rebounds along with Dennis Smith Jr. adding 17 points of his own.

Avery Bradley scored 15 points in that matchup while Tobias Harris had one of his lower quality games of the season, scoring only nine points in 34 minutes.

Catch a trend there? Yeah, none of those players are currently with their respective teams anymore. Harris is in Philadelphia, Bradley is in Memphis while Jordan and Smith Jr. are in New York. A lot has changed regarding these two squads since they last played a little over a month ago.

For the Clippers, this matchup comes off the heels of one of the worst performances of the season for Los Angeles, who shot 3-21 from behind the arc and 34% from the field.

Lou Williams has had success against Dallas this season, averaging 20.7 PPG off the bench. Montrezl Harrell has had considerable success as well, averaging 17.3 PPG and 8.0 RPG in the three prior matchups.

The Clippers are 3-2 in their last five games, which is cause for celebration with four of those five games taking place in other arenas. This game will mark the second, and last, home game in the month of February for the Clippers, which bodes well for them in the playoff hunt.

For the remainder of the season, 13 of the 20 games left for the Clippers will be in Staples Center, so taking advantage of those games, especially tonight against a below .500 team like Dallas, will be key for the Clippers down the stretch.

As for the Mavericks, they have lost four straight games and have fallen well behind the eighth spot in the West as they currently sit six games behind the Clippers for the final playoff spot.

Dallas did get some good news ahead of tonight’s matchup though. Head coach Rick Carlisle told media early on Monday that Luka Doncic would indeed play in tonights matchup. Doncic has missed his last two contests due to right knee issues, but he is a go tonight for the matchup against Los Angeles.

Doncic did not participate in the first matchup of the season against the Clippers, but he shined in the following two matchups, averaging 24.5 PPG over both contests.

The Mavericks currently lead the season series 2-1 heading into the final regular season matchup between these two squads.

Containing Doncic will be key for the Clippers to pick up a much needed victory to not only draw the season series but to pick up a quality home win ahead of two straight road contests.

Sacramento, who trails the Clippers by one game for the eighth seed, is in action tonight against Minnesota. San Antonio, who currently holds a tie breaker for the seventh seed plays Brooklyn. The Lakers are now three games behind the Clippers for the eighth seed and travel to take on Memphis tonight. The Clippers are the only team playing at home tonight between seeds 7-10, so a victory and three losses from the Kings, Spurs and Lakers would be beneficial.

Next. Brian Sieman is the right replacement for Ralph Lawler. dark

The Clippers take on the Mavericks at 10:30 ET/7:30 PT on NBA TV.

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