Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks: Postgame Grades and Analysis
The Dallas Mavericks connected on 16 three-pointers, dominating the Los Angeles Clippers 129-99 Friday at the American Airlines Center.
Chandler Parsons propelled the Mavs with five triples and 22 points, and the bench drained seven more trifectas. Dallas shot 60.7 percent from the field, its second-highest clip this season.
In addition to Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford missing their 15th and fifth consecutive outings, respectively, the Clippers didn't have much of Chris Paul, either. He attempted just eight shots.
J.J. Redick scored a team-high 17 points, but Los Angeles struggled to find the range as a unit. Doc Rivers' team connected on 12-of-32 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Mavericks improved to 31-0 when leading after three quarters.
| Chris Paul | C- |
| DeAndre Jordan | B- |
| J.J. Redick | C+ |
| Matt Barnes | D+ |
| Rest of Team | D- |
| Monta Ellis | B |
| Chandler Parsons | A- |
| Rajon Rondo | B+ |
| Dirk Nowitzki | B+ |
| Rest of Team | A |
Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul: C-
While Chris Paul was active on the defensive end and managed five steals, his scoring impact was lessened by Rajon Rondo's stingy presence and occasional double-teams. CP3 was seemingly an afterthought in the Clippers' attack.
He was visibly frustrated down the stretch, picking up a flagrant foul and uncharacteristically not even arguing the call. Paul's night ended with seven minutes, 18 seconds remaining. He finished with 11 points and seven assists.
DeAndre Jordan: B-
The loss was unfortunate, but DeAndre Jordan achieved a career first. The center swished his first career triple—a shot-clock induced prayer that found the bottom of the net.
But in all seriousness, he battled the physical talent of Tyson Chandler in the post yet still amassed 16 points and 18 rebounds, including nine of the offensive variety. However, Jordan and Co. only translated those second-chance opportunities into seven points.
Plus, after another dreadful performance from the charity stripe (1-of-5), it's time Jordan tries something else—perhaps the Rick Barry method. It can't get worse.
J.J. Redick: C+
J.J. Redick always seems to come out firing. The sharpshooter tallied 15 points during the first half and was a virtual lock to extend his 18-point streak to six straight contests.
But following his first field goal of the third quarter, he lost the touch.
Redick clanged the next three shots—all deep jumpers—while the Mavericks pulled away. He finished 6-of-14 from the field and 2-of-5 from long range, registering 17 points.
Matt Barnes: D+
Dallas was on fire from everywhere, so the Clippers especially needed their outside shooters to contribute. Matt Barnes misfired on his first four attempts, knocked down three straight but then missed the next two trifectas.
Barnes couldn't be a one-man show defending the hot-shooting perimeter, but he still had lapses, too. The small forward logged 31 minutes, 14 points, four boards and three assists.
Rest of Team: D-
Spencer Hawes, Hedo Turkoglu and Austin Rivers combined to bury a putrid 1-of-9 from three-point land, which placed additional pressure on the already-thin bench.
To make a long story short, Nate Robinson and Glen Davis didn't pick up the slack, particularly on the defensive end. All of Jordan Hamilton's 11 points came when the result had already been decided.
Dallas Mavericks
Monta Ellis: B
The Mavericks were at their best when working inside-out, and that should've made Monta Ellis' ability to enter the lane a key to their success. However, the guard was at his best as a jump-shooter.
Ellis splashed four jumpers from the right wing, ending his respectable showing with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting. The shooting guard also dished four assists and collected three rebounds.
Chandler Parsons: A-
The small forward drained a total of five three-pointers in eight attempts. Parsons attacked the rim with moderate success, though nailing an off-balance, one-handed, horrid-angle floater was certainly a fortunate—but highlight-worthy—result.
When shooting well, as he did against the Clips, Parsons is undoubtedly a more confident player on both ends of the floor. He added five rebounds, four dimes and two steals.
Rajon Rondo: B+
Friday was one of Rajon Rondo's better performances for Dallas. The maligned midseason acquisition created a few opportunities for his teammates and played stout defense.
As is typical, Rondo rarely looked to shoot the ball, hoisting just five field-goal attempts. He tallied seven assists and four steals, though Rondo joined Ellis with four turnovers that were largely due to over-aggressiveness—which is infinitely better than carelessness.
Dirk Nowitzki: B+
Since Parsons, Chandler and the bench stepped up so much, someone had to be the odd man out. But that didn't stop Dirk Nowitzki from sealing the victory.
Los Angeles held Nowitzki scoreless for 14 game minutes, but the veteran power forward contributed 11 points during a 56-32 run throughout the second half. Nowitzki finished with 14 points.
Rest of Team: A
Tyson Chandler took advantage of Los Angeles' weak frontcourt when Jordan exited and also snatched six offensive rebounds. Chandler accrued 14 points and 12 boards.
Dallas' bench entered the tilt scoring 34.9 points per game, according to HoopsStats.com, but it racked up a staggering 61 against the Clippers. Charlie Villanueva led the reserves with 19, while Devin Harris and J.J. Barea chipped in 15 each.
What's Next?
Los Angeles (42-24) prepares for an afternoon showdown with the Houston Rockets (43-22) on Sunday, March 15, at the Staples Center. ABC will televise the contest at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Dallas (42-25) stays at home but receives a three-day break, hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-29) on Monday, March 16. Fox Sports Southwest will show the Western Conference clash at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Clippers now hold a half-game advantage on the Mavericks for fifth place in the West.
Follow Bleacher Report NBA writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
