Mavericks-Clippers Preview

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com (10/31/09)
Dallas Mavericks (1-1) at Los Angeles Clippers (0-3)

Though it was only Game 2-of-82, the Dallas Mavericks made a statement with their 94-80 road win over the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers Friday night.

With little time to celebrate, the Mavericks hit the court again Saturday night to meet the Lakers' co-tenants, the L.A. Clippers. After grabbing their first win of the young season, the Mavs may have established an identity as a tough-minded, defensive-oriented, transition-scoring ball club.

(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mavs hope to sweep their 2-game L.A. trip

"It is just a win, and game two, so if it helps us confidence-wise then we know we can play with the best," point guard Jason Kidd said after the win over the Lakers. "We have another one Saturday night in this building, so we have to prepare now for the Clippers."

Though it will only show up as just one win in the standings, the confidence the Mavs can take from the win will never show up on the stat sheet. Now the Mavericks have to avoid a letdown against the team that received the No. 1 overall pick in June's NBA Draft.

While that draft pick, former Oklahoma standout Blake Griffin, will be out of action for up to six weeks with a stress fracture of his left kneecap, the Clippers still possess a potent scorer in Baron Davis and great post players in Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman.

If Davis can remain healthy and Griffin returns to display his top-notch ability, the Clippers are expected to be a much-improved team from a squad that won just 19 games last season.



Still Mavs coach Rick Carlisle saw enough Friday night to convince him that this Mavericks team can compete with anyone because of their team chemistry and desire to be the best.

"I have great belief in these guys," Carlisle said. "I know how much they want to win, I know how much they love to win, and I know how much they love playing together. We just have to keep working on the mindset. That’s the biggest thing."

Dallas plays its second consecutive game at the Staples Center on Saturday night against the Clippers, with the game airing locally on KTXA 21 and KTXA 21 HD at 9:30 p.m. CT.

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