Luka Doncic (#77) of the Dallas Mavericks shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, November 10, 2023. /CFP
The Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 144-126 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, extending the opponents' losing streak to four games.
The fate of the game was decided after three quarters, if not in the first half during which the Mavericks led 77-51. Luka Doncic shot 17-for-21 from the field, including 6-for-9 from downtown, to drop court-high 44 points. The Clippers double-teamed him on many occasions when he had the ball, but defense was relatively pointless when he kept firing and making shots one meter outside the 3-point line.
Kyrie Irving added another five triples out of nine attempts for the Mavericks. Though he and Doncic didn't generate too many impressive connections, having them lead different squads in different periods of time enabled the team to maintain their offensive consistency all the time.
Luka Doncic (R) of the Dallas Mavericks shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, November 10, 2023. /CFP
Derrick Jones Jr. and Tim Hardway Jr. made key contributions on both ends of the game for the Mavericks as well. Jones Jr. had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, in addition to three steals. Hardway Jr. got 15 of his 17 points in the second and the third quarters during which his side left the opponents far behind.
Despite the big loss, the Clippers led in the first period when they managed to go to the 3-point line 13 times and went 3-for-6 at the 3-point line. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combined to make eight of their 10 field goals (FG) in this quarter to score 26 points, but they failed to maintain their momentum in the rest of the competition. Harden took no more than three shots in the following three periods but missed them all, getting nothing but two assists, four rebounds and one steal.
Kawhi Leonard (#2) of the Los Angeles Clippers drives toward the rim in the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, November 10, 2023. /CFP
Leonard tried to carry the Clippers' offense by scoring 10 points in the third quarter, but the 26-point deficit from the first half was too big to wipe, especially when the Clippers looked completely clueless about how to stop Doncic. The team scored 38 points in this period, but conceded the same number, 15 of which came from Doncic.
Russell Westbrook continued to be the most energetic one on the Clippers' roster. Whenever he was on the floor, Ivica Zubac was able to do something more than running back and forth in the game. Nonetheless, the fact that Doncic kept attacking Zubac via transition and screen plays discouraged the Clippers from keeping Zubac on the court for too long. They gave sophomore Moussa Diabate some time and watched Doncic teach him a hard lesson.
Paul George remained lost in pairing with Harden. He was in foul trouble in the second quarter, but that didn't justify his underperformance of shooting as poorly as 3-for-12 from the field. His signature off-ball play of catching and shooting behind the arc nearly disappeared. Instead, George shot many tough triples and missed most of them.
Gordon Hayward (C) of the Charlotte Hornets penetrates in the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., November 10, 2023. /CFP
Other games on Friday (away teams come first):
Charlotte Hornets 124-117 Washington Wizards
The Hornets avoided their third consecutive loss by rallying 36-20 in the fourth quarter to beat the Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. Gordon Hayward reminded people of how he performed in his prime with 27 points, nine assists and four steals. He and LaMelo Ball, who went 5-for-5 in FGs in the fourth period, made integral contributions to the team's victory.
The Hornets' sophomore center Mark Williams dominated the paint on Friday night with a big double-double of 21 points and 21 rebounds, 12 of which were on the offensive glass, and eight dunks.
Fred VanVleet (#5) of the Houston Rockets reacts after making a 3-pointer in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, November 10, 2023. /CFP
New Orleans Pelicans 101-104 Houston Rockets
The Rockets secured their fifth win in a row by coming back against the Pelicans at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet all scored 20+points for the Rockets. Their side trailed 100-95 when there were less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Then VanVleet drained two 3-points and two free throws in the next 59 seconds to reverse the situation.
The Pelicans suffered their fourth straight loss on Friday night. Brondon Ingram and Zion Williamson combined to get 55 points and 14 rebounds, but they two also committed four and five turnovers respectively. Before coach Willie Green assemble their forces in the correct way, the team won't be on the right track.
Philadelphia 76ers 114-106 Detroit Pistons
Brooklyn Nets 107-121 Boston Celtics
Utah Jazz 127-121 Memphis Grizzlies
Minnesota Timberwolves 117-110 San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers 122-119 Phoenix Suns
Oklahoma City Thunder 98-105 Sacramento Kings