Kawhi Leonard had 20 points and sparked a key early run as the Los Angeles Clippers sailed past the Dallas Mavericks 114-91 on Friday night in Inglewood, Calif.
The Clippers have won 10 of their last 12 games. Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell each had 14 points for Los Angeles, and Zubac grabbed 13 rebounds. The Mavericks scored their fewest points of the season.
Dallas played without Anthony Davis, who was a late scratch due to an adductor strain. Dereck Lively II (injury management) also did not dress for the Mavericks, who also lost Klay Thompson to an injury in the first half after he played 12 1/2 minutes. Jaden Hardy also was helped off the court with 2:13 left after rolling his ankle.
Naji Marshall led the Mavericks with 22 points. Spencer Dinwiddie added 18 points, Hardy finished with 16 points and five assists, and Max Christie scored 11 points.
The two teams meet again Saturday night, also in Inglewood.
The Clippers (45-32) pulled into a three-way tie for sixth place in the Western Conference — the last guaranteed playoff spot — with Memphis and Minnesota. Dallas (38-40) remained in ninth place in the West.
The score was tied at 8-8 midway through the first quarter when Leonard took over. He scored on a jumper from the elbow, a spin in the lane, two free throws and then made a 3-pointer for a personal 9-4 run that gave the Clippers a lead they did not relinquish.
Los Angeles closed the first quarter on a 19-6 run and led 29-16 at the buzzer.
The lead grew in the second quarter as the Mavericks sorely missed Davis’ presence inside and outside. The Clippers went on a 10-0 run as Leonard drilled a 3-pointer, Powell made a long trey from the wing, Drew Eubanks scored inside and Leonard converted from the baseline. The lead grew to as high as 25, and Los Angeles led 58-35 at the break.
Dallas kept things around 20 points in the third quarter, but Los Angeles opened the fourth quarter on a 19-5 run, highlighted by three 3-pointers by Bogdan Bogdanovic.
In the fourth quarter, brothers Max Christie (Mavericks) and Cam Christie (Clippers) played against one another for the final six minutes.
Zubac had his 21st double-double since the All-Star break.
–Field Level Media
