Mavericks-Clippers Preview

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
The drive for No. 2 comes down to two games
Dallas Mavericks (53-27) at Los Angeles Clippers (28-52)

The Dallas Mavericks are right where they want to be: In the driver's seat, leading the race for the Western Conference's No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

With a three-game winning streak and back-to-back victories to begin their three-matchup road trip, the Southwest Division champion Mavs have opened up a one-game advantage over Denver, Utah and Phoenix for the two spot. Now all the Mavericks have to do is finish victorious in the last two games of the season to secure second place behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoff tree.

"We'd love to finish second and have home-court (advantage in the playoffs) as long as we can," forward Dirk Nowitzki said.

But if the Mavericks are to continue to hold on to the second seeding, a victory against the L.A. Clippers on Monday night is a necessity. The lowly Clippers will not only be trying to spoil Dallas' hopes of playoff positioning, they'll also be out to avoid a season series sweep at the hands of the Mavs.

"Each game has critical meaning in terms of the seeding. Our guys are focused in on what we need to do," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said.

One player who has certainly been focused on the task at hand has been Nowitzki, following up a 40-point outburst in Portland with 39 points in a 126-108 blowout win in Sacramento. Carlisle says the team will continue to go to their nine-time All-Star, early and often.

"Dirk's our guy. We play through him. He's going to make good things happen for us," the coach said. "If he's open, there is a good chance he is going to make the shot. He is that kind of a scorer and that kind of big shooter."

Nowitzki has found success in a variety of ways, including with the 3-point shot, in the last two games. But the 7-footer has also attacked the rim with aggression of late, leading to 30-for-30 at the foul line on the team's current journey through the West Coast. He has now swished in 68 straight free throws, breaking his own franchise mark of 60.

"I was just being aggressive. If I'm open, shoot the ball or put it on the floor and get to the foul line. That always helps," Nowitzki explained.

The superstar got plenty of help in the form of point guard Jason Kidd's all-around performance against Sacramento. The future Hall of Famer tallied up 11 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists against the Kings, recording his second triple-double of the season and the 105th of his illustrious career.

"It's beautiful to watch (Kidd) play," Kings coach Paul Westphal said after watching the veteran lead guard. "He fills up the stat sheet but he doesn't play for stats. He just plays for making the right play every time, and he gets them in the right situations."

It was Kidd, the scorer, that showed up the last time the Mavs and Clippers met. With Nowitzki ejected in the third quarter for just the third time in his career, Kidd stepped up with 26 points on his 37th birthday to help down the Clippers 106-96 in the American Airlines Center on March 23. Naturally, the 10-time All-Star added 12 assists and six rebounds to make the birthday complete.

"With Dirk out, I thought I'd play Dirk," Kidd said. "I didn't want a bad birthday, so I was going to take the blame if we lost with my offensive output...It was a nice birthday gift and a good birthday, and I'm glad we got the win."

"I thought (Kidd) willed the team with his energy and his enthusiasm," Carlisle said after that victory. "He got guys engaged and it wasn't just playmaking -- it was shotmaking, it was assists, it was defensive plays, it was giving guys confidence out there...I can't say enough great things about Jason Kidd. The two years I have been with him, he's been just phenomenal."

Kidd will once again be called upon if forward Shawn Marion misses his fourth straight game due to a left oblique strain. Marion is listed as a game-time decision Monday night, after limited participation in the team's morning shootaround.


Fortunately for the Mavs, the L.A. squad might also be without a key contributor. The playing status of Kidd's counterpart, Baron Davis, is uncertain. Davis left in the third quarter of the Clippers' 107-104 win against Golden State on Saturday night, suffering a sprained right wrist.

Still, the Mavericks are not overlooking the Clippers by any means. That being said, the Mavs know they can't afford to lose to a team eliminated from playoff contention.

"You have to get the win against the Clippers, because they have nothing to play for. It's a necessity," center Brendan Haywood said.

The Mavericks conclude their road trip against the Clippers at the Staples Center on Monday night. Dallas won the first two games in the season series. The matchup will air nationally on NBA TV and locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 9:30 p.m. CT.

The team returns to the American Airlines Center for the final regular season game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.

For up to the minute news on the Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.