MyDallasMavs: Mavs Win 5th Straight

The Mavericks came to the Staples center hoping to get their fifth straight win and their third straight on the road to extend their road record as the NBA's best for the second season in a row. They did just did and left the arena with smiles on their faces as they beat the Clippers 106-100.

The Mavericks hoped to end their sluggish starts but didn't get what they wanted as Roddy started the game with a turnover and got two quick fouls in the starting minutes, sending him to the bench. The Mavs trailed 13-4 from the start, and turnovers continued to be a problem for Dallas. The Clippers' lead soon cruised to double digits but Peja and Dirk helped the Mavs come back to within three before ending the first quarter down just 28-23. The Mavericks had six turnovers in the first quarter which led to nine points for the clippers.

In the second quarter, the Mavs' bench came to help, as Barea came to the rescue; he managed to get two and-1's. Griffin kept up with the Mavs' offensively to keep Dallas trailing, but the Mavs took it easy with the turnovers and Dirk and Roddy together diminished the 13-point deficit and took the lead for the first time, ending the second quarter, up 48-46.

In the first half the Mavs had eight turnovers were out-rebounded 26-21. Despite Mo Williams' 13 first-half points and Griffins 10 points and 10 rebounds, The Mavs still outshot the Clippers 44.7% to 37.5% and were able to grab the lead just in time for the half.

In the start of the third quarter the Mavs lost the lead while Griffin and Williams continued to run the floor offensively. Roddy acquired his fourth foul and had to sit out. But soon the Mavs took the lead once again with a 7-0 run. After some much needed shots from various players, the Mavs took the 75-70 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Although JET did not take the runway in the fourth quarter, which seems to be his specialty, JJ Barea and Dirk stepped up to fill his lack of the roll. Nowitzki continued to shoot like he normally does while Barea continued to take advantage of his size to get in the lane through the Clippers' defense. It was at this time that Dirk's consecutive free throw streak came to an end at 74, the second longest of his career. Dirk had an unusual dunk while Griffin got a technical foul that would soon put the Mavs up by 10 with just under 7 minutes on the clock. But it wasn't quite a wrap for the Mavs from there as the Clippers went on an 11-0 run to come within 5 with less than 4 minutes left to go. Barea hit a much needed 3-pointer with the addition of a few more Mavs' baskets before Terry had a steal to seal the game in the final minute. The Mavs' finished the game with the 106-100 win.

Dirk led the Mavs' with 24 points while Barea had 22 points off the bench, scoring 16 in the fourth quarter. Peja had 11 points including three 3-pointers while Marion was the fourth Mavericks in double-figures with 10 points. Kidd had just 5 points but added 10 assists. Terry had a bad night offensively shooting just 2-11 but finished with 6 points and 7 assists.

Griffin led the Clippers with a double-double of 25 points and 17 rebounds to set the franchise record of most season points from a rookie. Williams had 19 points, Gordon had 15, and Kaman and Foye both added 12.

This win extended the Mavs' win streak to five and its their third win of this long road-trip. It is also the Mavs' third win against the Clippers this season and they have now won 15 of their last 16 against LA.

Next, less than 24 hours later, the Mavs will step foot in the Staples center once again to face the LA Lakers for a third time this season, hoping to gain the 2nd seed again.